Mainz sign Norwegian defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen to contract extension | OneFootball

Mainz 05 centre-back Andreas Hanche-Olsen became the fourth defender to sign a contract extension with his Bundesliga outfit in the last four months om Thursday evening. The 21-times-capped Norwegian international joined the ranks of three Germans who were often asked to deputize for him.

Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr were inked to new deals in April. Veteran Stefan Bell received an extension in May. On Thursday evening, it was Hanche-Olsen’s turn. The 28-year-old extended his working papers, due to expire at the end of next season, until 2028.

Hanche-Olsen struggled with injury issues throughout his two-and-a-half-year-tenure with the Rheinhessen, making only 54 appearances in the 84 potential league games he could have featured in. He has delivered uncompromising and committed defensive work.

A fan favorite among the locals, Hanche-Olsen has also scored three goals and contributed four assists in 56 total competitive appearances for the Palatinate Club. Provided he can remain fit, Mainz certainly expect him to make an impact in the Conference League this year.

“Andreas is a player with the right mentality, strong in tackles and experienced,” FSV sporting director Nico Bungert noted in a club statement. “He has impressively demonstrated his defensive qualities in the Bundesliga over the past few years. He identifies completely with Mainz 05, with our style-of-play and what makes this club special. In addition, Andreas is also a very important, positive character in the locker room.“

“This is a special day for me because I have wanted this contract extension for a long time,” the player himself added in a surprisingly heartfelt statement of his own. “Mainz 05 feels like home to me – I really like the people at the club, the fans, the whole club, the way everyone gets along, but also the atmosphere in the city. Mainz has become my second home and I’m happy that I can continue to play for FSV for several more years.”

GGFN | Peter Weis