Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Nürnberg has become the latest traditional sports outfit to dip its toe into esports. The German side who currently sit fifth in German football’s second tier has signed two FIFA players less than a month after VfL Bochum became the first Bundesliga 2 side to pick up players in the same title.
The club has enlisted the services of Daniel “Bubu” Butenko and Kai “Hensoo” Hense, and the two players will wear 07 and 68 respectively. The numbers are in tribute to the last two major titles of the club, the 2007 DFB Cup victory and the 1968 German Championship win.
Both players have been signed as a result of a partnership with BAP Gaming. The players have signed to begin immediately, following the recent launch of new title FIFA 18 for the new season. The release on the website suggests that the club has exciting plans for events, tournaments and public relations exercises with the players and utilising them for unique content in partnership with the actual football team.
Both players have past tournament pedigree although they remain fairly unknown in the grand scheme of FIFA esports. Bubu last appeared in the FIFA Interactive World Cup back in 2015, whilst Hensoo has yet to qualify for FIFA’s biggest tournament.
We’re yet to see a huge pick-up from English clubs, as to this date only Manchester City and West Ham United from the Premier League have picked up FIFA players, and there’s been no activity from any clubs in any tier below the top.
Esports Insider says: Another Bundesliga 2 team picking up FIFA players as German clubs continue to get more and more involved, be it just with FIFA or more heavily in esports. Will we see English clubs follow suit anytime soon?