Eintracht invests, Mainz strengthens their goal – OFC suffers a thrashing, Wehen surprises Bayern
Substitutions at Eintracht, new goalkeepers for Mainz, a botched birthday party at OFC and an exclamation mark from SVWW against the record champions – that's how things currently look at the four other major football clubs in the Rhine-Main area.
Frankfurt
Noel Aseko joins Eintracht Frankfurt from FC Bayern Munich. The Berlin native completed his footballing education at Hertha BSC and has been with Bayern Munich since 2022. In the spring of 2025, Aseko joined Hannover 96 on loan. The defensive midfielder has signed a contract until June 30, 2031, and the transfer fee is reported to be around twelve million euros. Also new: Brazilian center-back Otávio arrives from CF Estrela Amadora and has signed a long-term contract until June 30, 2031.
The most prominent departure from Eintracht Frankfurt is that of German international Nathaniel Brown. The left-back chose the opposite path to Aseko and joined Bayern Munich. The transfer fee for the 23-year-old, who was developed at 1. FC Nürnberg, is estimated at around €50 million.
Former professional footballer Markus Beierle has died unexpectedly at the age of 54. The striker helped Eintracht Frankfurt achieve promotion to the Bundesliga in 2003 and 2005, scoring several important goals for the club during that time.
Mainz
Mainz have secured the services of Alexander Schwolow. The 34-year-old goalkeeper joins the club from Scottish runners-up Heart of Midlothian. The 1.90m tall Wiesbaden native boasts experience from over 200 Bundesliga matches and numerous appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, and the Scottish Premiership.
Goalkeeper Maximilian Kinzig has also signed a professional contract. The 1.90 m tall Berlin native, who has been part of Mainz 05's U23 youth academy since January 2024, is thus the next highly talented keeper to be developed from the club's own youth academy and brought up to the first team.
Ben Bobzien, on the other hand, is joining SG Dynamo Dresden permanently. The 23-year-old striker was already on loan to the Saxon capital in the second half of last season and played a key role in the club's survival in the second division, contributing a total of nine goals and assists.
Offenbach
A disappointing birthday celebration: OFC suffered a clear defeat in their anniversary match against VfB Stuttgart at the Bieberer Berg stadium as part of their 125th anniversary festivities. In sweltering summer temperatures and before a crowd of 8,274, they were thrashed 1-8. The only goal, making it 1-3 at one point, was scored by striker Benedikt von Hagen.
Maximilian Wolfram has been signed. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder brings experience from more than 230 appearances in the 3. Liga. Last season, Wolfram played for TSV 1860 Munich, who did not receive a license for the 3. Liga. Defender Ouassim Karada, on the other hand, has left OFC and joined Eintracht Frankfurt II, from where he was loaned to third-division side Hansa Rostock.
Wehen Wiesbaden
SV Wehen Wiesbaden made a statement at their season opener: Following an ecumenical church service and a fan festival, they secured a 2-1 victory in their anniversary match against record champions FC Bayern Munich in front of 12,000 spectators. Ibrahim Ati Allah gave them the lead, Tom Bischof equalized for Bayern from the penalty spot, before Lukas Schleimer scored the winning goal shortly before the final whistle. Both of SVWW's goals resulted from goalkeeping errors by Bayern, who fielded a team comprised primarily of youth players.
Wiesbaden's record appearance holder, Sascha Mockenhaupt, has joined SG Hüffelsheim in the Verbandsliga (sixth tier) after his contract expired. The 34-year-old defender wore the SVWW jersey for over nine years, making 355 appearances for the Hessian club.
Beyond the Lilies – News from Frankfurt, Mainz, Offenbach and Wehen
Stephan Köhnlein is the editor-in-chief of the independent online magazine Lilienblog, which focuses on SV Darmstadt 98. In this section, he takes a look beyond the Lilies each month at other football clubs in the Rhine-Main area.
