BERLIN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt has signed goalkeeper Noah Atubolu on loan from Bundesliga rivals Freiburg until the end of the season, with the 24-year-old arriving as the club's new first choice, the "Eagles" announced on Friday.
The agreement includes an option to make the move permanent which will become an obligation if certain conditions are met. Atubolu extended his Freiburg contract before completing the switch to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt coach Adi Hutter confirmed the Germany U-21 international would immediately occupy the leading role in a goalkeeping group that also includes Kaua Santos and Michael Zetterer. "We have brought him in as our number one," Hutter said. "He is strong on the line, very quick and physically imposing, while he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet."
Born in Freiburg in 2002, Atubolu joined the club's academy aged 13 and progressed through the youth ranks before establishing himself with the reserve team. He helped Freiburg's second side win promotion to the third division and later became the senior team's first-choice goalkeeper at 21.
Atubolu went on to make 125 competitive appearances for Freiburg's first team. He also set a club record by going 609 consecutive minutes without conceding and established a Bundesliga mark by saving five successive penalties.
Last season, Atubolu played all 15 of Freiburg's Europa League matches as it reached the final, conceding 13 goals during the campaign. His performances also brought him into the wider circle of Germany's senior national team.
Atubolu has represented Germany 22 times at Under-21 level, more than any other goalkeeper, and finished runner-up at the European Under-21 Championship in 2025.
"I am very happy to be here and can hardly wait to get started at Eintracht Frankfurt," Atubolu said. "I know the city, the club and the stadium and have always experienced the games here as something special." ■
