1. FC Kaiserslautern has strengthened with Philipp Klement. The 29-year-old returns to his youth club from VfB Stuttgart.
The playmaker, who was born in Ludwigshafen, had played at FCK until the U19s. Eleven years after his departure, Klement is now returning to the Betze.
FCK Managing Director Thomas Hengen is delighted with the deal: “With Philipp Klement we are getting an experienced player who can be used flexibly in midfield and who impresses with his game intelligence, quick action and ball security on the pitch. He is not only a goal threat, but also a good preparer. He also has a high quality when it comes to set pieces. Philipp comes from the Palatinate and knows FCK from his youth, he knows what is required here.”
Klement added: “I’m looking forward to the task here and to finally playing for the pros at FCK. Even as a spectator at the relegation game against Dynamo Dresden, the thought came to me to play the FCK team again. I put my jersey on. When the request came from Kaiserslautern, I didn’t have to think long.”
Hours before the deal was announced, kicker reported that the transfer could fail due to the high salary demands of the 29-year-old. That was obviously not the case. Despite the contract, VfB is letting Klement move to the second division promoted free of charge until 2023.
