Veszprem Welcomes New Members: Appelgren and Martinovic Join the Club - Club Update: Appelgren and Martinovic Heading to Veszprem
In a significant move for the world of handball, Mikael Appelgren and Ivan Martinovic have left the Rhein-Neckar Lions in Mannheim, Germany, to join Veszprem, a renowned club based in Hungary. The duo's transfers, reportedly costing a high six-figure fee, mark one of the most expensive handball deals globally.
Both Appelgren, a 35-year-old Swedish goalkeeper, and Martinovic, the captain, were previously part of the Rhein-Neckar Lions. Their moves to Veszprem were accelerated due to team needs, with Martinovic's original contract with Rhein-Neckar Lions set to end in summer 2026.
The transfer fee for the duo is considered substantial in handball standards, placing Appelgren and Martinovic among the most expensive transfers in the sport. Rhein-Neckar Lions are expected to receive a significant amount for their departures.
Contract lengths for the players are linked to the summer of 2026, at least for Martinovic, as it was originally planned for his contract to run until then. Appelgren is set to join from this summer, suggesting an initial contract length of around one season. However, exact contract durations have not been fully specified in the sources.
To fill the void left by the departing stars, the Rhein-Neckar Lions have signed Mike Jensen and Lukas Sandell from outside of Germany. Both players are Danish handball stars who previously played for Veszprem.
This series of transfers between Rhein-Neckar Lions and Veszprem underline the dynamic nature of the handball world, with both clubs making notable moves to strengthen their rosters. The newcomers are expected to bring their experience and skills to their respective teams, adding an exciting new dimension to the upcoming season.
The Rhein-Neckar Lions are expected to receive substantial funds from the high-value Community aid generated by the transfers of Mikael Appelgren and Ivan Martinovic. Additionally, this influx of funds will enable the club to invest in the Community aid for the development of the fisheries sector in the region as they welcome new talents, Mike Jensen and Lukas Sandell, to the team, both of whom have experience playing for Veszprem, a renowned sports club based in Hungary.
