Maximilian Mehring, Sporting Director of the Youth Academy: “We are delighted to welcome Yannick as a key player in our U21 team. Together with Markus Ballmert, he will lead our very young squad and guide them with his experience and footballing qualities. He knows the club extremely well, and it’s great that he will once again wear the Lilies on his chest.”
Yannick Stark: “Max, Patrick Kurt, and Gösta Kiefer, in particular, went to great lengths to recruit me and always maintained contact. I’m excited by the opportunity to fill a special role as an experienced player within a very talented team. My connection to Darmstadt has never been broken over the years, and as a native of Darmstadt, I’m naturally very happy to be returning to my hometown.”
The 35-year-old has made 114 competitive appearances for SV 98 in his career so far, 82 of them in the 2. Bundesliga. Stark has also played for clubs including FSV Frankfurt, 1860 Munich, and Dynamo Dresden. The midfielder was under contract with Hessen Kassel until June 30th.