- Club: FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Player: Kay Seidemann (25)
- Event: Mutual contract termination
- Reasons: Fan protests, lack of fitness, disciplinary issues
Jena. It is the final line under a chapter that was under an unlucky star from the very beginning. FC Carl Zeiss Jena has ended its cooperation with offensive player Kay Seidemann. As the Regionalliga club confirmed, the 25-year-old’s contract was dissolved by mutual agreement. This brings peace to a personnel matter at the Kernberge that had occupied the club, the fan scene, and the sporting management for months.
A Transfer with Heavy Baggage
When Kay Seidemann was brought to Jena in the summer of 2024 by then sporting director Stefan Böger, sporting hopes were high, but skepticism in the surrounding environment was even greater. The reason lay in the player’s past: Seidemann had previously played for arch-rivals Rot-Weiß Erfurt and had made negative comments about FCC during that time – a circumstance that the tradition-conscious and proud fan scene in Jena was unwilling to forgive.
The rejection manifested itself quickly and clearly. While the rest of the stadium often tried to support the player with encouraging applause, the path to the Südkurve remained blocked for him. Even after victories, Seidemann was not permitted to celebrate with the team in front of the hard core of fans. A situation that represented a test of endurance not only for the player but for the entire team structure.
Sporting Performance vs. Discipline
Despite the headwinds, the performance on the pitch was initially right. In his first season, Seidemann delivered: with ten goals and five assists in 24 appearances, he proved that he could be a sporting reinforcement for the Regionalliga squad. However, the second half of the season and the preparation for the current phase revealed cracks that could no longer be mended.
Since last summer, reports of problems off the pitch have increased. Absences from training and a lack of fitness became a constant topic. The situation escalated to the point where sporting director Miroslav Jovic had to intervene personally. In a measure unusual for professional football, Jovic partially picked the player up from home to ensure he appeared for training.
The Missed Training Camp and the End
The final break became apparent at the beginning of the year. While the team traveled to the training camp in Turkey, Seidemann remained in Thüringen. Official reason: lack of fitness. Coach Volkan Uluc and sporting director Jovic prescribed an individual recovery program for him in Jena. But the hoped-for turnaround did not materialize.
At the beginning of this week, the 25-year-old reported sick again. He was already absent from the squad during the successful 3:2 friendly match against VFC Plauen. For those responsible at FC Carl Zeiss Jena, this was the point where further cooperation was deemed senseless. The termination now carried out is the logical consequence of a chain of misunderstandings and disappointed expectations.
Looking Ahead
For FC Carl Zeiss Jena, the contract termination means one thing above all: peace. In the decisive phase of the season, coach Volkan Uluc can now concentrate fully on the sport again without having to moderate weekly discussions about a single player. It is currently not known where Kay Seidemann will move next.
We wish the club and the team much success for the upcoming tasks in the Regionalliga.
Sources:
Original
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.