Foto: SV 98 30.06.2026 / English
Transfer News: Duijvestijn Strengthens the Attack
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
Paul Fernie: „In Lance, we are gaining a key piece of the puzzle for the overhaul of our attack. He has a very active style of play, finds solutions between the lines, and isn’t afraid to go for goal himself. On top of that, he is technically gifted and works very hard off the ball. We’ve followed Lance in many matches, and he was a player we really wanted to sign. We are delighted to have finalised this deal.“
Lance Duijvestijn: „After gaining a lot of experience in the Netherlands over the past few years, I’m really looking forward to making the move abroad to Darmstadt. My conversations with Paul Fernie and Florian Kohfeldt were excellent, and I like the footballing philosophy—it aligns perfectly with my own vision of the game. I’m convinced that we can share plenty of great moments together.“
Duijvestijn came through the youth ranks at ADO Den Haag and—following a year in Nijmegen—gained his first experience in senior football there. After recording 12 goal contributions in 21 games for ADO’s U21 side, the tall, creative player moved to Helmond Sport in the second division in 2020.
He spent the next three seasons in that league, tallying a total of 65 goal contributions across 112 second-division appearances for Helmond (2020/21) and Almere City FC (2021/22 and 2022/23). The right-footed player also celebrated promotion to the Eredivisie with Almere in 2023. In the Dutch top flight, Duijvestijn played 14 matches for Almere before the winter break, then moved to league rivals Excelsior Rotterdam, where he recorded eleven goal contributions in 17 games through the end of the season. Despite this strong record, he suffered relegation to the second division with Rotterdam. The following season, the former U15 international recorded 20 goal contributions in 23 league matches and was officially named Player of the Season.
His strong performances earned Duijvestijn another move to the Eredivisie; he made 15 competitive appearances for Sparta Rotterdam before joining Fortuna Sittard on loan last winter. The new Lilien signing played 15 league matches (3 goals, 2 assists) for the team that finished 11th in the 2025/26 season.
Duijvestijn has been assigned the number 41 shirt at SV 98.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
„A very successful start“
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
Transfer News: El Kadiri joins Darmstadt
There continues to be movement in the Lilien's attack. SV 98 has signed Ibrahim El Kadiri from the Dutch club De Graafschap Doetinchem.
Transfer News: Kehl becomes the Lilies‘ next new signing.
SV 98 can announce another new signing ahead of the start of training on Sunday (June 28). Lars Kehl is joining the "Lilies" from VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
The Lilies kick off their 2026 summer pre-season.
It was an early start on Thursday morning (June 25th) as SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off their 2026 summer pre-season. The goalkeepers were expected at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor just before 7am, with many other players following shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the early hour, a cheerful Marcel Schuhen jogged from the car park to the team building, flashing a broad grin as he held up an "eight" for the camera. "Today marks the eighth time in a row that I’m starting summer pre-season with the Lilies," smiled the SV 98 captain; under contract at the "Bölle" since 2019, he is the longest-serving player in the current squad.
Transfer News: Lührs joins the Lilies
Reinforcement for the SV 98 defence: The Lilies have signed Yannik Lührs. The 22-year-old defender joins the club at the Böllenfalltor from TSG Hoffenheim II.
Training begins in the Odenwald | „This feeling“
The summer break is drawing to a close, and this coming Sunday (June 28th), the Darmstadt professionals will be back on the training pitch for the first time, officially starting their preparations for the 2026/27 second division season. And they'll be doing so in the Odenwald region. Furthermore, the club has welcomed another new signing, Nicolas Verkooijen. You can find these and other topics in our weekly edition, "Lilies Across the Board."
Organisational information for the „Lionel Richie Tribute Night“ with Jimmie Wilson
At the "Lionel Richie Tribute Night" on June 27, 2026 (Saturday evening, doors open at 8:30 p.m.), Jimmie Wilson will bring the greatest hits of the American soul singer live to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. This concert evening, presented by SV Darmstadt 98 Stadion GmbH, promises a special atmosphere – whether you want to sing along, dance, or simply enjoy the music. Here you will find all the important organisational information.
Transfer News: Verkooijen Signs for Lilies
SV 98 have secured the services of highly sought-after Nicolas Verkooijen. The Belgian U21 international joins the club in southern Hesse on a free transfer after his contract with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven expired at the end of the season.
Young Lilies participate in the „Bundesliga Talent Series“
The "Bundesliga Talent Series" will launch in the 2026/27 season as an additional U21 competition to promote young talent in German professional football. SV 98 is one of 26 clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga that have committed to participating.
Transfer News: Lilies Loan Out Arnold
Tim Arnold will play in the Regionalliga West next season. SV 98 is loaning the 19-year-old to Sportfreunde Siegen. The fourth-division club also has an option to sign him permanently.
Heinerfest game show: SV 98 is looking for four teams
Want to take your team to the Heinerfest stage? Then apply now! SV Darmstadt 98 is looking for four teams to be part of the Lilies' Heinerfest game show and compete against former Lilie player Michael Stegmayer. The show takes place on Saturday, July 4th, from 4pm to 6pm. Amateur teams, groups of friends, families, fan clubs, and club groups are all welcome to participate.
