**Agreement reached: Gladbach sign Darmstadt’s Lidberg**

**Second-division top scorer costs €3.5 million**

The transfer of Isac Lidberg to Borussia Mönchengladbach is almost complete. All parties have now reached an agreement on the terms of the move.

Kicker can confirm a report from Sky that the transfer of Isac Lidberg is essentially finalized. After Gladbach had already reached an agreement with the striker, the two clubs have now also agreed on the transfer terms. The base fee is €3.5 million and can rise to €4 million through bonus payments. Lidberg will sign a contract in Gladbach until the summer of 2030. Before that, however, he still has to complete the mandatory medical examination.

The 27-year-old Lidberg attracted the attention of numerous clubs with 17 goals and four assists in the most recent 2. Bundesliga season. One of those clubs was Gladbach, who are looking to strengthen the center-forward position and add an alternative to Tim Kleindienst. Lidberg, who is physically strong and hardworking on the pitch, fits the profile the club was seeking. He is known for his power and clinical finishing. The 1.86-meter-tall striker, whose contract with Darmstadt runs until 2027, is expected to provide greater attacking threat in the final third.

Lidberg effectively takes the attacking squad spot previously occupied by Haris Tabakovic. The Bosnian international scored 13 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season while deputizing for the long-term injured Kleindienst, who underwent knee surgery. Following the end of his loan spell, Tabakovic will return to TSG Hoffenheim as stipulated in his contract.

# Question marks in Gladbach’s attack

Gladbach’s current attacking situation still contains several uncertainties. Kleindienst only returned from his lengthy injury absence on the final matchday against Hoffenheim (4–0). How his knee will respond to the workload of pre-season training and the subsequent Bundesliga campaign remains to be seen.

With Lidberg, Gladbach now have a clear specialist option for the number-nine position. The same cannot be said of Shuto Machino and Tomas Cvancara (who returns after the end of his loan spell with Celtic). Both players are stronger in other positions. In Cvancara’s case, whose contract runs until 2028, it is also unclear whether he will remain at the club. A sale or at least another loan move remains a possibility for the Czech forward.

*Jan Lustig*