Details Emerge In Huge SV Darmstadt 98 Transfer

Birmingham City secured the signing of Austrian defender Christoph Klarer from German side SV Darmstadt 98 during the summer transfer window, and today, details of the fee have been revealed.

Initial reports suggested the club paid around €4.15 million; German sources have clarified that the fee was closer to €3 million. That’s because Fortuna Düsseldorf, Klarer’s previous club, earned 10% of the sale, receiving approximately €300,000. That’s been confirmed by RP-Online in Germany. It is possible the fee could rise to €4.15 million, but that hasn’t been confirmed, so at present, it seems the base value of the transfer was much less than first thought.

It still represents a nice profit for Die Lilien, who are currently 14th in the German second tier. it’s believed they paid €2 million for his services just 12 months prior, and even with the sell on, they’ll net €700,000 pure profit to help them as they hunt a route back into the German top flight.

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Klarer, who signed a contract until 2027, has already made eight appearances for Birmingham City, contributing with both a goal and an assist. Impressively, Birmingham has won every league match Klarer has played in so far, highlighting his impact on the team.

Reflecting on his early performances, Klarer admitted he had settled well in Birmingham, “It’s been really easy to settle in this club and city, I have really enjoyed my time so far,” he told the Birmingham Mail. “Winning football games helps. I’m really enjoying my football at the moment and I’m happy with where I’m at.”

The defender began his footballing journey in Austria, developing his skills at Rapid Wien before moving to Southampton in 2016. At Southampton, he featured prominently for the U18s and U23s but did not break into the senior team. In 2020, Klarer joined Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he became a key figure, making 74 appearances and scoring five goals. After a single season at Darmstadt 98, he impressed enough to earn his move to Birmingham City.

Site Opinion – Smart Business by Birmingham

Birmingham City’s acquisition of Klarer for a relatively modest fee (by their standards) appears to be a savvy piece of business. With the Austrian already proving himself as a key defensive asset, the club looks to have secured a strong long-term option in defence. Furthermore, Klarer’s contract until 2027 provides stability, allowing Birmingham to build around him for the future.

As Birmingham continues their League One campaign, Klarer’s performances will be crucial to maintaining their impressive start. His early influence has been undeniable, and fans will be hopeful that the team can sustain their winning form with him at the heart of the defence.