- Player: Maxim Hessel (Center-back)
- Club: FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Contract duration: Until June 2027
- Interested parties: VfB Stuttgart, Dynamo Dresden, and others
- Market value: approx. 125,000 Euro (Transfermarkt.de)
Jena (13.02.2026) – It is the classic course of business in football, but for the fans at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, it is news with a bittersweet aftertaste. FC Carl Zeiss Jena, currently competing in the Regionalliga Nordost, could lose one of its most promising homegrown talents. Maxim Hessel, who has achieved a breakthrough as an undisputed key player this season, is in the spotlight of clubs in higher leagues.
From Hunter to Hunted
Normally, Hessel’s job is to hunt down opposing strikers, close down spaces, and win tackles. These qualities have earned him not only a regular spot in the Jena defense but also the nickname “Büffel” (Buffalo). Now, however, the signs have changed: the 23-year-old has become the target himself – albeit on the transfer market.
According to current information, several scouts have been observing the defender intensively. Specifically mentioned are the Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart as well as the traditional club Dynamo Dresden from the 2. Bundesliga. This confirms a development that has been hinted at over the past months: Hessel has visibly outgrown the level of the Regionalliga.
Coach Uluc Confirms Broad Interest
FC Carl Zeiss Jena coach Volkan Uluc confirmed that these are more than just vague rumors. He speaks of “six to eight clubs” closely following the development of his protégé. Representatives of professional clubs are regularly seen in the stands in Jena, explicitly to observe the Sonneberg-born defender.
Despite the looming departure, Uluc is proud of the training work accomplished: “Maxim has made a great development. Now he needs to deliver a stable second half of the season, and then we’ll see where his journey leads.” This statement speaks volumes: a stay beyond the summer of 2026 seems unlikely, provided the sporting and financial perspectives are right.
Contract Situation Promises Transfer Fee
The situation is strategically favorable for FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Since Maxim Hessel, who has been trained at the club since 2019, still has a valid contract until June 2027, the club from Thüringen can demand a transfer fee. A free transfer is out of the question.
The current market value is estimated at around 125,000 Euro, but in a bidding war between financially strong clubs, the actual sum could certainly vary. For a Regionalliga club, such income is essential to cover its budget and continue investing in youth development. Hessel embodies the ideal profile of a modern center-back: he is considered robust in direct duels, possesses strong positioning, and – what is indispensable in modern professional football – he masters clean build-up play.
Conclusion: Jena as a Launchpad Works
Recently, Hessel had to take a step back due to injury but is now on the verge of returning to the pitch. The coming months will be decisive: if he can confirm his form, a step into professional football in the summer should be the logical consequence. For FC Carl Zeiss Jena, it would be a sporting loss on one hand, but on the other, a seal of quality for its own academy. It proves once again that the path via the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld can lead directly to the professional leagues.
We will stay on top of the story and report as soon as there are concrete negotiations.