Overview
- Paderborn says the 21-year-old forward signed a long-term contract and traveled with the squad to a training camp in Belek, with no transfer details disclosed.
- Mannheim responded that Okpala resigned his contract at year-end, skipped training, and remains under contract with SV Waldhof.
- Okpala’s adviser, sports lawyer Horst Kletke, argues Mannheim breached obligations and that a written clause enabling a move was fully satisfied.
- Sporting director Gerhard Zuber says Mannheim will review the legality of the termination and consider legal action after being surprised by Paderborn’s announcement.
- The unresolved row carries sporting and financial stakes for Mannheim, which risks losing a transfer fee, as Okpala produced seven goals and five assists in 18 first-half league matches.