Overview
- HSV shifted onto artificial turf after heavy snow as coach Merlin Polzin cited travel issues for absent keeper Daniel Peretz, even as transfer reporters claimed a Southampton medical and the club confirmed only ongoing talks.
- VfL Bochum will train in Belek from January 4–11 and have signed left-sided defender Mikkel Rakneberg on a free, with Uwe Rösler praising the board for finding funds for the trip as injured Matus Bero and Gerrit Holtmann remain in rehab.
- Hertha BSC opened under Stefan Leitl with John Anthony Brooks and Leon Jensen back in partial work and head to the Algarve next, with Agustín Rogel and Tim Hoffmann not in the camp plans and Diego Demme training individually.
- VfL Bochum U21 resumed with three decisive Regionalliga matches set for January 25–31 while in the drop zone, after multiple departures and the addition of versatile left-sider Aurel Wagbe.
- Oberliga side SV Schermbeck moved to bolster survival hopes by adding forward Tolga Özdemir and defender Kingsley Marcinek, loaning out several players, and replacing goalkeeper Sebastian Speen after his contract termination on December 31.