Transfer
1. FC Saarbrücken TT: Meissner and Muramatsu leave – Robles and Vilardell join
At 1. FC Saarbrücken Table Tennis, personnel changes will take place ahead of the upcoming season. While Cedric Meissner and Yuto Muramatsu are leaving the club, FCS will strengthen its squad with the two Spanish players Álvaro Robles and Albert Vilardell, who will compete for Saarbrücken in the TTBL and, respectively, also in the second team.
Cedric Meissner delivered consistently strong performances both in the TTBL and the 2nd Bundesliga. However, an injury at the beginning of the current season prevented him from making more appearances. Overall, the club was unable to offer him the number of matches he would have deserved. Against this background, a joint solution was found that opens up new sporting perspectives for him. Meissner is expected to continue his sporting career within the TTBL.
Yuto Muramatsu looks back on his time in Saarbrücken with gratitude: “The years at 1. FC Saarbrücken Table Tennis were something very special for me. I am proud of what we achieved together and would like to thank the club, the team, and the fans for their support.”
Erwin Berg pays tribute to the two departures: “Both players played a major role in the successes of recent years. Three great years in the FCS jersey, each with two Champions League titles as well as the German Cup victory, speak for themselves.”
Spanish additions for FCS
Der 1. FC Saarbrücken Table Tennis will strengthen its squad for the upcoming season with two Spanish players: Álvaro Robles and Albert Vilardell will compete for FCS in the future. With Álvaro Robles, an internationally experienced top player is coming to Saarbrücken. The 2019 World Championship silver medalist in doubles brings a high level of playing quality, experience, and personality.
Robles is looking forward to his move with great anticipation: “The step to Saarbrücken is a decision I am making with great enthusiasm and a clear feeling that I am ready for a new, major challenge – both athletically and personally,” explains the 34-year-old. “I feel that now is the right moment to approach this task with ambition and responsibility.”
Nicolas Barrois, team manager of FCS, is also very satisfied with the transfer: “Álvaro has already proven on several occasions that he can significantly strengthen a team both in singles and doubles. In addition, he is simply a great person. We are all the more pleased that he will be competing in Germany again next season.”
Alongside Robles, another Spanish player, Albert Vilardell, will be joining FCS. The 23-year-old is currently under contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the 2nd Bundesliga and is set to be used by FCS both in the TTBL and in the second team.
Vilardell commented on his move: “I decided to move to Saarbrücken because I see great opportunities here to further develop my game and improve significantly as a player. I am especially looking forward to playing in front of the fans in the arena and contesting my first matches in the FCS jersey.”
Source: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT press release (featured image above: Ulrich Höfer)
