“KIDS STAY IN BERLIN”: Mission 2030 for Lichtlein, Langhoff, Freihofer and Ludwig
Kids of Berlin stays in the German capital. 2025 will be remembered as the year when Fuchse Berlin won the first ever Bundesliga trophy, but the special one stay also 2002 when kids were born.
Nils Lichtlein, Matthes Langhoff, Tim Freihöfer and Lasse Ludwig, all of them will stay at the club until 2030.
The most important philosophy of Füchse Berlin has worked out perfectly with these handball players: from the club’s own youth academy, via a dual playing right at 1. VfL Potsdam, all the way to the Champions League. In Füchse Town they not only always had the best training conditions, but also came into contact with active professionals at an early age. Today, the four former Jungfüchse are themselves key performers in the team coached by Nicolej Krickau and played a major role in winning the first German championship in the club’s history. The pride was clearly visible last summer. The trust placed in these young players over many years has paid off—and they are giving a great deal back to the club.
And so, shortly after Christmas, there was a wonderful present: Nils Lichtlein, Matthes Langhoff, Tim Freihöfer and Lasse Ludwig have all extended their existing contracts early, committing themselves to the club until 2030. They will continue to shape the team decisively and embody the concept of developing players from the academy into world-class athletes. Once youngsters attending early-morning training sessions for the club’s greatest talents under managing director Bob Hanning, they now captivate the biggest arenas in the world. In doing so, they serve as role models for many current Jungfüchse, showing that the Berlin pathway truly pays off.
Together they celebrated German youth championships and were crowned U21 world champions in 2023 in Berlin with Germany’s top talents. Today, all four are part of the extended circle of the German national team and are included in the 35-man squad for the upcoming European Championship, with Lichtlein and Langhoff making the final roster.
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Managing Director Bob Hanning:
“This is our DNA—developing players from the bottom up. Alongside Fabian Wiede and Paul Drux, these four players represent this club and its philosophy like no others. We are therefore proud and happy that they place so much trust in the club and always give everything to ensure that the Füchse, the people responsible, and the fans are doing well. The beautiful thing is that the next generation is already knocking on the door. That is my driving force: integrating players into the squad at the highest level.
Nils is the player who brings speed to our game and thinks one second ahead. In the coming years, he can become the central figure of our play and of the national team. Lasse has been given significantly more playing time this season and has shown what qualities he has. I trust that he can become our number one in the long term. Calm, composed, and quietly, he is going his way. We are trying to find a good partner for him and are close to finalizing that—it will be a very good combination.
Tim is currently one of the best left wings in the world. Not only is his scoring rate impressive, but also the importance of his goals. For his age, that is unique. I was convinced of Matthes from day one. Had he been given trust earlier, he could be even further along. He is one of the central defensive players for the Füchse and has also shown what he can do in attack. His path with the national team will be a lasting one—he will make his mark.”
Head Coach and Sporting Director Nicolej Krickau:
“We are absolutely delighted that we will have such important building blocks in our squad for the long term. Lasse has developed very well in recent years, and we will certainly continue to drive his development together, with the goal of making him a top goalkeeper. Tim is a huge part of our team’s core. In the long term, he will be the number one left wing in Germany. Matthes has already played a major role this season, especially in defense. With the attacking minutes he has collected in recent weeks, he more than deserved his nomination to the national team and has shown that he has enormous potential. Nils will shape our attacking play enormously in the future. He will set the tempo and take on a huge role as a playmaker. Overall, we are extremely happy that all four want to stay with us for so long.”
Lasse Ludwig:
“I’m incredibly happy to continue being part of the Füchse Berlin project. I identify 100 percent with the club’s values and DNA and feel completely at home in the club and in the city. My girlfriend and I have built a second home here, and I can hardly wait to spend the next few years in Berlin. After my youth career, we had a clear plan, which helped me a lot, especially in terms of trust. I celebrated two promotions in Potsdam, established myself with the Füchse, and won titles. Winning the German championship was breathtaking, and I’d love to experience that feeling many more times. I’m very grateful to the club for its trust, as well as to the fans—the celebrations after home wins always create special moments of happiness. It’s a great honor for me to continue wearing this logo on my chest.”
Nils Lichtlein:
“I’m happy that the club is placing its trust in me for the coming years. It’s also great to know that I’ll continue to be on the court with my friends. Playing in Berlin in front of these amazing fans is something special with these guys. I’m looking forward to many more wins in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, and hopefully more successes to come. Berlin has become a home for me, and I’m glad I can stay here.”
Tim Freihöfer:
“The trust I continue to feel from the club makes Berlin a home for me. I’ve felt incredibly comfortable here for many years. I made the leap to professional handball in Füchse Town, and I’m full of joy every time we head into the Fuchsbau. I’m grateful to the Füchse and really looking forward to the coming years. Knowing that I’ll continue to play alongside the guys makes this contract extension even more special. Together with the fans, we want to celebrate many more great nights in the Fuchsbau.”
Matthes Langhoff:
“I’m super happy that I can stay at the club and that we still have many great years ahead of us. I want to continue giving my best and winning as many titles as possible with the Füchse. Extending together with the guys is a wonderful feeling. We’ve been here together for so many years and have gone through everything, starting from the youth teams. All the more, I’m looking forward to continuing that journey in the coming years—and to carrying our friendship on from front door to front door and from locker seat to locker seat.”
PHOTO/VISUAL: Fuchse Berlin
