Bundesliga - Hannover mourn Feierabend

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

German football and Hannover 96 are in mourning after the tragic death on Sunday of youth team player Niklas Feierabend in a car accident.

The 19-year-old, who was a popular face at the club and tipped for a bright future was one of three passengers who were killed when the car they were travelling in left the road and hit a tree in the early hours of Sunday morning. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Hannover, whose relegation from the Bundesliga was confirmed last weekend put out a statement shortly afterwards confirming the devastating news;

"This morning we received the terrible news that our 19-year-old forward lost his life after a car crash in the early hours of this morning,"

"Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends in this difficult time. All teammates, managers, co-workers, fans and everyone else at Hannover 96 are shocked and saddened by this devastating news.

Niklas, gone but never forgotten."

Paying tribute

Other clubs were quick to join in their tributes to Feierabend.

1. FSV Mainz 05 tweeted; “Our thoughts are with everyone at @Hannover96 as they mourn the loss of Niklas #Feierabend.”

FC Augsburg similarly tweeted: “Our thoughts are with everyone associated with Niklas #Feierabend and @Hannover96 at this tough time. RIP.”

Niklas Feierabend was a popular figure at Hannover 96

Whilst he hadn’t made his senior debut for Hannover 96, Niklas Feierabend (pictured) was making huge strides in his development. He had been invited to train with the senior squad during their winter training camp earlier in the season and was given his first professional contract as recently as February.

He made the matchday squads for recent Bundesliga games against Hamburger SV and Hertha BSC, though on both occasions as an unused substitute.

Prominent future

On Saturday, Feierabend had played for Hannover’s youth team in a game against RB Leipzig. Out of respect for his family, their reserve match on Sunday was called off. He had been on the club’s books since 2012 and was under contract for another two seasons.

It was likely that he would figure quite prominently next season in their squad with several of Hannover’s players likely to move on after the club’s relegation. First choice goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler has already revealed that he will be leaving at the end of a disappointing campaign. Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to FC Schalke 04 was their 22^nd defeat of the season which has seen three different managers in the dugout at the HDI-Arena.

Hannover are no strangers sadly to tragedy. In November 2009, German national goalkeeper Robert Enke was at the club when he died after being hit by a train. The stadium address was changed in the aftermath to include his name in his honour.

In January 2015, young Belgian midfielder Junior Malanda, who was part of the VfL Wolfsburg squad, was killed also in a car accident in the country.

My thoughts are with the family of Niklas Feierabend, his family and friends and everyone connected with Hannover 96.

Niklas Feierabend – 28 April 1997 – 1 May 2016. RIP