Brian Behrendt has returned to his native Germany: the 23-year old, who had a year left to run on his contract with Rapid, has joined second division outfit Arminia Bielefeld with immediate effect.Behrendt joined the Rapid youth academy in 2007 from Hamburger SV a decision that was partially influenced by his family's decision to move to the Austrian capital. He featured 61 times for the reserves, netting on seven occasions. After gaining first team experience on loan to Austrian second division side SV Horn in 2013 (17 appearances) Rapid Trainer Zoran Barisic brought him into the first team fold. Since summer 2013 the defensive midfielder, who can also be deployed in central defence, has made 53 competitive first team appearances, scoring twice.After suffering a nasty injury in August last year, Behrendt fought his way back to fitness to make himself available for selection again for the second half of the season and went on to make seven appearances in Rapid's highly successful 2016. However Behrendt, from northern Germany, has decided to look for a new challenge.Sporting Director Andreas Müller: "Brian Behrendt is a model pro who has developed enormously with us. But with the level of competition we have in midfield he wasn't a guaranteed the starting position he requires at his age to ensure he continues his development. After meeting with each other we came to the conclusion that it would be best for his career to take the opportunity and make a new step into the German second division. We wish Brian every success with his new club."Brian Behrendt on his transfer: "I would like to state my heartfelt gratitude to Rapid and all club officials for what have been seven wonderful years. For me its the right time to look to new challenges and I'm looking forward to joining up with my new club Arminia Bielefeld. After winning the third division and thus also securing promotion to the second, there is a positive mood sweeping through the club and I want to play my part in getting a traditional big club stabilised and competing in what is maybe the strongest second division in the world. I wish Rapid all the best for the future and I'm positive that in the coming years my ex-teammates can really go on to achieve something special."Behrendt has signed a contract tying him to DSC Arminia Bielefeld until summer 2018. The transfer fee remains undisclosed.
16.07.2015