- Player: Kay Seidemann (25), midfielder.
- Event: Mutual contract termination.
- Background: Rejection by the active fan scene (RWE past) and lack of fitness/discipline.
- Decision Makers: Sporting Director Miroslav Jovic and Coach Volkan Uluc.
Jena (14.02.2026) – It is the final chapter of a misunderstanding that has occupied FC Carl Zeiss Jena for over a year and a half. The traditional Thuringian club and midfielder Kay Seidemann are parting ways with immediate effect. As the club confirmed, the 25-year-old’s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement.
A Transfer with a Heavy Burden
The signing of Kay Seidemann in the summer of 2024 was under a cloud from the very beginning. The offensive player, brought to the Kernberge by former sporting director Stefan Böger, arrived with baggage that weighs heavily in the emotional world of Thuringian football: his past at arch-rivals Rot-Weiß Erfurt.
Particularly explosive were not just his sporting appearances for the rivals, but negative comments about Carl Zeiss Jena that Seidemann reportedly made during his time in Erfurt. For parts of the active fan scene in the Südkurve, this was unforgivable. The situation led to bizarre scenes at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld: while Seidemann was not allowed to celebrate in front of the fans after victories, other parts of the stadium responded with demonstrative chants of solidarity. A rift went through the club’s environment, causing constant unrest.
Sporting Performance vs. Discipline
Despite the difficult environment, the sporting record was initially positive. In his first season, Seidemann was quite convincing, scoring ten goals and providing five assists in 24 appearances. However, since last summer, the tide turned on a sporting level as well.
According to reports, incidents of indiscipline began to mount. Sporting Director Miroslav Jovic reportedly felt forced to intervene personally at times, picking the player up from home to ensure his attendance at training. The low point was reached at the beginning of this year: due to a lack of fitness, Seidemann missed the training camp in Turkey. Instead, the coaching team led by Volkan Uluc prescribed an individual fitness program in Jena.
The Final Exit
Hopes for a turnaround were not fulfilled. After the player reported sick again at the beginning of the week and was missing from the squad during the friendly win against Plauen (3:2), those in charge pulled the plug. For the club, the separation signifies the end of a constant source of unrest, allowing focus to return fully to sporting goals in the Regionalliga. It is currently unknown where the 25-year-old will move next.