Kruse's Fitness: Not Yet Ready for 90 Minutes in Oberliga - Max Kruse returns to Hamburger Oberliga with TuS Dassendorf at 37
Max Kruse, the 37-year-old former professional footballer, is joining TuS Dassendorf in the Hamburger Oberliga. The move marks his return to the league after a brief stint with FC St. Pauli’s second team in 2010. Kruse, who last played professionally for SC Paderborn in 2023, has since been featuring for Al-Dersimspor II in Turkey’s lower divisions.
Kruse’s signing was officially announced on Monday, though he will not immediately link up with the squad. Prior commitments with Al-Dersimspor II mean his full integration will begin later. From January 19, he plans to attend every training session to build his fitness ahead of the Oberliga season.
The player has admitted he is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes in the league. To prepare, he stepped up his training over the holidays and aims to reach peak condition within two to three weeks. His return to the Oberliga also reunites him with Martin Harnik, a longtime friend and teammate at TuS Dassendorf. Kruse’s dual-play arrangement allows him to represent both Al-Dersimspor II and TuS Dassendorf. This is possible because the two clubs are more than 200 kilometres apart, meeting the league’s eligibility rules. As of January 7, 2026, there are no reports of him training with any other clubs in the coming weeks.
Kruse’s arrival adds experience to TuS Dassendorf’s squad as they prepare for the new campaign. His fitness progress will determine when he makes his competitive debut. Until then, he remains focused on training and balancing commitments between his two teams.
