Mainz officially release Onisiwo: “One of our defining players over the past decade.”

Not long after rumors began surfacing on Thursday, FSV Mainz 05 officially bade farewell to their all-time record scorer in the German top flight. 

FSV Mainz 05 have officially completed the rumored move of Austrian striker Karim Onisiwo. The final parameters of the transaction did not end in Onisiwo being sold. Instead, the 32-year-old’s Mainz contract was prematurely dissolved so as to facilitate the striker’s move to the Austrian Red Bulls on a free transfer. 

With 62 top-flight scorer points, Onisiwo remains the most prolific FSV first-division scorer in history. In a farewell statement accompanying the move, Mainz sporting CEO Christian Heidel confirmed that the Austrian international requested the move and the contract was dissolved out of respect for his wishes. 

“Karim was one of the defining Mainz players of the past decade,” Heidel’s statement reads. “Like no other, he embodied our passionate style of play as a tireless instigator and initiator of our courageous pressing.”

“Due to his current sporting situation and the prospect of being able to return to his home country, he approached us with the short-term desire to move,” Heidel’s statement continues. “We could not refuse him. We thank Karim for his exemplary commitment over the years.”

“We wish him all the best for his personal and professional future,” Heidel’s statement concludes. “Karim has earned his place in the history of Mainz 05, he will always remain a part of our 05 family.”