Foto: SV 98 23.06.2026 / English
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.
Paul Fernie: “It’s a testament to our work when a promising talent like Nicolas chooses Darmstadt despite receiving several offers. He’s very energetic, plays with great intensity, moves well in space, and is someone who always wants the ball. He also has excellent passing and good decision-making skills. We’re delighted to have him with us, but at the same time, we’ll give him the time a young player needs in a new environment.”
Nicolas Verkooijen: “Recent history has shown that players can develop at Darmstadt 98. I consciously chose to join Darmstadt and play in the 2. Bundesliga because I believe it’s the ideal environment to mature as a footballer and as a person. I had a very good feeling after the initial talks with Darmstadt and I’m really looking forward to this new challenge.”
Verkooijen joined PSV Eindhoven’s youth academy at the age of nine and progressed through all the youth teams before being promoted to the Dutch club’s reserve team in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (second division) in the summer of 2024. The right-footed player made a total of 41 appearances for PSV’s second team in the second division. Last season, the Belgian featured in 28 matches, contributing to ten goals. Verkooijen also made five appearances for the first team and thus joins PSV as a newly crowned champion. He was included in the squad for the Champions League matches against Newcastle United and Bayern Munich.
Last March, Verkooijen made his debut for the Belgian U21 national team. The blond-haired player has also represented his country at the U19 (seven matches) and U18 (two matches) levels.
Verkooijen will wear the number 10 jersey at SV 98.
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
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.
Merck Lilies football camps are starting for the summer holidays: Secure your spot now!
With the start of the Hessian summer holidays on June 29th, the Merck Lilies football camps will of course also be in full swing again. You can find all the information here.
Young Lilies: Coach swap between U21 and U19
SV 98 is making changes to the head coaching positions for its U21 and U19 teams for the upcoming season. Sebastian Schmitt, who has been in charge of the U21s since February, will now coach the U19s. Conversely, the current U19 coach, Patrick Kurt, will take over the position with the U21s.
The fan shop at Bölle will remain closed on Monday.
The SV Darmstadt 98 fan shop at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be closed next Monday (June 22nd). It will reopen on Tuesday (June 23rd) with its regular opening hours.
From Japan to Canada | „I want to show what I’m capable of“
Where are the Darmstadt 98 players spending their summer holidays? We'll give you a brief overview. Furthermore, SV 98 welcomed their first new signing, Noah Weißhaupt, to the Böllenfalltor stadium this week, and the club's veterans team will be playing two matches again this weekend. We'll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 in our "Lilies Across the Board" section.
Children’s play day at Bölle: Ticket sales for the Homburg test match start on June 18th.
At the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor against FC Homburg: Ticket sales for the friendly match on July 14, 2026, at 6pm against the regional league team begin on June 18 at noon. Tickets are available as usual at the ticket office at the stadium and in our online ticket shop. We would also like to draw your attention to this very special match day: The friendly against FC Homburg will put our youngest fans in the spotlight, giving them their first ever children's match day at the stadium, an event never before seen at the Merck Stadium.
Transfer News: Torsiello stays in Aachen
Fabio Torsiello will also play for Alemannia Aachen next season. SV 98 is loaning the 21-year-old attacking player to the third-division club for another season. Aachen also has an option to sign him permanently.
Transfer News: Lilies Sign Weißhaupt
SV 98 has secured an offensive boost. Noah Weißhaupt will wear the Lilies' jersey in the future. The 24-year-old is transferring from SC Freiburg to Darmstadt.
