Quick & Compact: The Essentials at a Glance
- Club: FC Carl Zeiss Jena (Regionalliga Nordost)
- Player: Kay Seidemann (25)
- Event: Mutual contract termination
- Background: Fan protests due to RWE past, lack of discipline
- Outlook: Potential move to BSG Chemie Leipzig
Jena. It is the end of a misunderstanding that dragged on for a year and a half: FC Carl Zeiss Jena and offensive player Kay Seidemann have terminated their cooperation. What was already hinted at in January with the official confirmation of the contract dissolution is now also emotionally concluded – and rumors regarding the 25-year-old’s future are already swirling.
A transfer under an unlucky star
When Kay Seidemann moved to the Kernberge in the summer of 2024, skepticism was high. The transfer, initiated by then-sports director Stefan Böger, met with massive rejection from large parts of the active fan scene. The reason lay in the player’s past: during his time with arch-rivals Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Seidemann had made negative comments about FC Carl Zeiss Jena. In football, where loyalty and identification are highly valued, the Kurve rarely forgets such statements.
The rejection took on almost bizarre forms. Even after victories, Seidemann was barred from celebrating with the team in front of the Südkurve. While the team cheered, the player had to keep his distance – a situation that was a burden not only for the individual concerned but for the entire team structure. Despite expressions of solidarity from other sections of the stadium, the relationship with the organized fan scene remained broken.
From key player to problem child
From a purely sporting perspective, the engagement started well. In his debut season, Seidemann delivered: in 24 appearances, he scored ten goals and provided five assists. However, his performance on the pitch could not bridge the divide. From the summer of 2025, the tide turned – both on and off the field.
According to reports, instances of indiscipline began to mount. A lack of fitness and missed training sessions became recurring issues. Sporting director Miroslav Jovic attempted to intervene personally, even picking the player up from home on occasion to bring him to training. However, measures such as an individual fitness program in Jena while the team was working hard at the training camp in Turkey did not bring the hoped-for turnaround.
The final straw and the future
The situation finally reached a breaking point with another sick call at the beginning of the week before the friendly against Plauen. For the FCC management, it was clear: further cooperation no longer made sense. The contract was dissolved.
But what comes next for the talented but difficult offensive player? According to current information, Seidemann seems likely to remain in the Regionalliga Nordost. Leads point toward BSG Chemie Leipzig. A move to the Leutzsch-based club could offer Seidemann the chance for a fresh start – far from the direct rivalry between Jena and Erfurt that so significantly overshadowed his time at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld.
With this decision, more calm returns to the squad of FC Carl Zeiss Jena, allowing the focus to shift entirely back to the sporting goals of the second half of the season.