Chinese table tennis Olympic champion Fan Zhendong (third from left) attends a press conference in Saarbrucken, Germany on August 27, 2025. Photo: Red Star News

 
China's table tennis Olympic champion Fan Zhendong will play in three competitions representing his German club Saarbrucken in the new season, according to a press conference held by the club on Wednesday. 

"I'm very happy to start my Bundesliga journey. I've already built strong friendships with my teammates, and I hope to help the team achieve good results as we move forward together," Fan said at the press conference. 

Having joined Saarbrucken in June, the 28-year-old will make his debut in the German table tennis league, the TTBL, on Sunday. He will also compete in the European Table Tennis Union Champions League and the German Table Tennis Cup, according to the press conference. 

Speaking about his decision to join Saarbrucken, Fan said, "In 2016, I competed here in the World Cup and it left me with unforgettable memories. I'm really looking forward to coming back. Saarbrucken is a very well-known and elite club, and I'm very happy to be able to join the club."

On July 31, the German club announced that the first two home-match tickets for the new season, against TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt and Borussia Dortmund, sold out quickly and that they would add temporary stands for the first three home league matches of the new season. To give local fans a chance to buy tickets, the club will set up an onsite ticket sales point at its office, according to the club's social media account. 

According to multiple German media outlets, Fan's move to Saarbrucken has created a sensation. Last season, the club's home matches drew only 400 to 600 spectators on average. But following Fan's arrival, the 2,000-seat home court has seen tickets sell out a month in advance. The club has also revealed that there is a possibility of moving some home matches to an alternative venue that can accommodate more spectators.

Global Times