Fan takes up Boll's baton

Chinese table tennis icon Fan Zhendong is set to join German Bundesliga giant Borussia Dusseldorf for the 2026-27 season, in a high-profile move following his current stint with 1. FC Saarbrucken.

German table tennis club Saarbrucken announced Monday that the Chinese star will leave the team at the end of the current season to join Borussia Dusseldorf.

"We have always maintained very open and trusting communication. From the very beginning, we were clear that this collaboration would last one year. That is precisely why we are even more grateful to have experienced this year together," stated the club's team manager Nicolas Barrois.

"Fan assured us that his decision in no way stems from him not feeling comfortable in Saarbrucken — quite the opposite. He simply wants to see more on his journey through Europe and gain new experiences. We fully respect and accept that."

Since signing the Grand Slam paddler in June 2025, Saarbrucken has seen a dramatic increase in its profile, with tournament ticket sales and city hotel bookings surging, and the club's following on the Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo growing from 10,000 to nearly 500,000.

Unprecedented enthusiasm has been shown for the three major club competitions Fan plays in, namely the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League, prompting several matches to be moved to larger venues.

The club noted that signing a player of Fan's caliber had allowed it to play a pioneering role in the sport, describing the move as a significant moment in the history of German and European table tennis."I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Saarbrucken table tennis club for giving me this incredible opportunity. It has been a very special experience in my career," Fan said in a statement.

"However, at this stage of my career, I feel ready to take a new step."

The Paris Olympic men's singles and team champion will arrive in Dusseldorf on July 1, joining a squad that already features Qiu Dang, Anton Kallberg, Kanak Jha, and Li Yongyin.

Borussia Dusseldorf manager Andreas Preuss hailed the signing as a landmark moment for the club.

"Fan is our absolute dream player and a huge enrichment for our team and the entire club," said Preuss.

"He is a global star and an exceptional sports personality. It is a great honor for us that an Olympic champion will play for Borussia Dusseldorf."

His move comes one year after the retirement of club legend Timo Boll, who played for the club for 18 years.

"Borussia Dusseldorf is one of the strongest forces in European and world table tennis, and my close friendship with Timo Boll has also inspired me to embrace this new challenge," said Fan.

"I look forward to supporting the team, and it is an honor to follow in his footsteps."

Once rivals on the table, the two have forged a deep friendship off it. In Germany, Fan and Boll have enjoyed spending time with each other away from the table, watching soccer and celebrating Christmas together.

"Fan wants to experience Germany and the Bundesliga, and his popularity will bring global attention to the league. His move to Dusseldorf is a logical step, this is where the heart of table tennis beats," said Boll.

Dusseldorf is a multicultural city home to numerous international companies, and it has also gained fame on Chinese social media for its authentic Chinese cuisine.

Carwyn Morris, a researcher at the SOAS China Institute, observed in a documentary titled A Flaneur and Dusseldorf: "Chinese restaurants, bubble tea shops and all kinds of familiar things from China are here. This is probably the most vibrant Chinese culinary or cultural city that I have actually been to in Europe."

Fans flooded the announcement with comments thanking Saarbrucken for the past season while expressing support and anticipation for Fan's move to Dusseldorf.

Many noted that the city's convenient transportation links will make it easier for them to watch the Chinese star in action.