Kentin Mahé leaves VfL Gummersbach with immediate effect
VfL Gummersbach and French backcourt player Kentin Mahé have agreed to part ways immediately. The German Bundesliga club confirmed on Friday, July 3, that the contract, which had originally been valid until the summer of 2027, has been terminated by mutual consent.
Managing director Christoph Schindler thanked Mahé for his contribution to the club, stressing that the relationship between the player and VfL has always been a special one. Mahé wore the Gummersbach shirt on two different occasions — first as a young and promising player, and later as an experienced leader in the final phase of his career.
Schindler also underlined his personal connection with Mahé, having once played alongside him. He admitted that the past two seasons had not always been easy for the Frenchman, but praised his attitude, saying that Mahé remained professional and exemplary at all times.
Mahé first played for VfL Gummersbach from 2011 to 2013. After winning major titles with France, including World Championship gold, European Championship gold and Olympic gold, he returned to the club in 2024 from Hungarian powerhouse One Veszprem HC.
Head coach Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson described Mahé as an outstanding handball player and a true professional. However, he pointed out that a player of Mahé’s quality, even in the later stage of his career, deserved more playing time and responsibility than he had received in recent months. For that reason, both sides agreed that parting ways was the best solution.
In the final months of his spell at Gummersbach, Mahé was mostly used only in short appearances. The 35-year-old admitted that it was not easy when things did not develop as he had hoped, but added that such experiences are also part of life and learning.
Mahé said he feels great gratitude for the four years he spent at VfL Gummersbach in total, describing that period as one marked by mutual respect and a shared love for handball. He also said he looks forward to meeting the club again in handball arenas across Europe.
