Chinese Table Tennis Star Fan Zhendong Joins 1. FC Saarbrücken in Bundesliga

Fan Zhendong, who recently secured the gold medal in men's singles at the Paris Olympics on August 4, 2024, is now officially a member of the German table tennis club 1. FC Saarbrücken. In a statement released by the club, Fan expressed his eagerness for this new venture, stating that he looks forward to experiencing a different environment and working together with the team to achieve numerous victories.

The announcement ignited excitement among Fan's new teammates, particularly from Truls Moregardh, who described it as a privilege to play alongside such a celebrated athlete. Team manager Nicolas Barrois shared his disbelief at the speed of the developments, emphasizing the significance of Fan joining their ranks for both the club and the broader context of German and European table tennis.

Furthermore, the Chinese Table Tennis Association has conveyed its supportive stance on Fan's choice, recognizing this personal decision and affirming its commitment to help him maintain peak performance levels in his new chapter. Fan's illustrious career includes becoming the tenth Grand Slam winner in his nation’s history and notably being the youngest-ever champion of the men's singles title at the Table Tennis World Cup in Saarbrücken back in October 2016.

The 1. FC Saarbrücken table tennis club has been an active competitor in the Bundesliga since 2009, clinching its first championship in the 2020 season and performing admirably in subsequent years, including winning consecutive titles in the Table Tennis Champions League during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons. This transition into a foreign league marks a new milestone for Fan Zhendong and the club as they look forward to a successful collaboration.