Bundesliga
Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp has publicly stated he will be staying at Eintracht Frankfurt, turning down an offer from Manchester United to continue the success story he’s written with the UEFA Europa League holders.
Trapp, 32, confirmed his intentions on Instagram in a message that re-affirmed his commitment to Bundesliga giants Eintracht.
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“Much has been reported on interest from Manchester United in recent days. It’s true that a written offer was table. Manchester United is a club that’s famous around the world, and I hope everyone can understand that I engaged with such an offer and thought about it.
“But I told the managements of both clubs yesterday that I’ve opted for Eintracht. I’ve had unforgettable experiences here with Frankfurt and we’ve made history together. The season has got off to a bumpy start but I have absolute confidence in us.”
Unsurprisingly, his statement drew overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans of Frankfurt and German football in general.
He was referred to as a “role model” by head coach Oliver Glasner, a “club legend” by supporters, with others pointing out their pride that Eintracht now has a team – which he has helped shape – that is more attractive than a big-money move abroad away from the Bundesliga.
Trapp has played for Red Devils before, having come through and made his senior debut at Kaiserslautern back in 2011. Frankfurt came calling after just a year as a first-team regular and he helped Die Adler back into Europe for the first time in nearly a decade in his first year with the club.
It was the start of a love affair with Eintracht and European football. Yet Trapp would be tempted from his adopted home in 2015, by Paris Saint-Germain.
Trapp made 91 competitive appearances across three seasons in France, winning Ligue 1 twice. He enjoyed No.1 status for two years, but fell out of favour under Unai Emery in 2017/18. Keeping an eagle eye on developments in the French capital, Frankfurt swooped to offer him a route home.
“I already stressed in the spring that I feel very comfortable in Frankfurt and Eintracht,” Trapp told the club's website after turning an initial season-loan loan into a permanent deal in summer 2019.
“The time in Paris was very exciting, successful and a great experience for me. Now I've come home permanently and would like to achieve much more with Eintracht.”
Trapp has done just that.
In the three years that have passed since he played a leading role in their march to the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League semi-finals, the six-time Germany international has moved past the 250-appearances barrier, enjoyed some famous wins over record champions Bayern Munich and got his famous hands on the Europa League.
Watch: Caught in a Trapp - Kevin Trapp's best Bundesliga saves
“For us, for Frankfurt, for the region - for the whole of Germany, I think it's a wonderful thing,” enthused Trapp, who took Man of the Match honours for his part in Eintracht's final, triumphant act of their unbeaten 2021/22 Europa League campaign, against Rangers.
One of 11 surviving members of the Frankfurt squad that reached the 2018/19 Europa League last four, he pulled off a miraculous point-blank save to deny Ryan Kent in extra-time, before making the decisive penalty save from Aaron Ramsey in the shootout.
“It was the most intense experience of our lives for many of us and we’ll need time to recover. This is not my night. It's everyone’s night. It doesn't come down to one player, it comes down to a whole team.
“The league season was a disappointment because we didn't qualify for Europe, now the euphoria is huge as we look forward to the UEFA Champions League. It's hard to find the words.”
Trapp has enjoyed Champions League football before, just not for Frankfurt. His decision to stick around for the ride - and beyond - is testament to the mutual love and respect he shares with the club, its fans and his teammates.