1
SC Freiburg attacker Eren Dinkçi has spoken about his wife’s ongoing leukemia treatment and the role football continues to play during an extraordinarily difficult period for his family. Dinkçi and his wife, Cinja, publicly revealed her diagnosis in April while appealing for potential stem-cell donors.
As noted in a previous Get German Football News piece, supporters of both Freiburg and Heidenheim responded by registering with the DKMS in large numbers. The 24-year-old subsequently dedicated a Bundesliga goal to his wife while spending the second half of last season on loan with former club Heidenheim.
The registration campaigns organized by Freiburg and Heidenheim have reportedly identified possible donors who are approximately 90-percent matches. Dinkçi has now returned to Freiburg after contributing three goals and three assists in 14 appearances during Heidenheim’s ultimately unsuccessful relegation battle.
Eren Dinkçi’s Freiburg future remains unresolved
Dinkçi’s sporting future remains uncertain despite his return to Freiburg. Julian Schuster already possesses extensive attacking depth in his squad. Meanwhile, Dinkçi’s former club Werder Bremen retain an established interest in the German-Turkish attacker.
Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach nevertheless praised Dinkçi’s preseason work.
“Eren and the club are approaching preseason with full motivation,” Hartenbach said. “The way he has presented himself during these weeks has been very good. Should Eren remain with us, he will be a valuable player—just like everyone else.”
Dinkçi remains under contract with Freiburg, but his wife is also receiving treatment at a clinic in the city. That naturally represents a major factor in any transfer decision.
“The situation is clear,” Dinkçi told Kicker. “I am here, I have a contract and my wife is receiving treatment at the clinic in Freiburg. We will see what happens in the future.”
“Considering the circumstances, she is doing relatively well,” Dinkçi continued. “There are ups and downs. She continues to cope with everything very well, and we remain very positive. Nothing else helps in this situation.”
“Priority number one is simply that she is doing well,” Dinkçi said. “I can distract myself well with football. It has become my anchor—something I can hold on to. Before and after that, my thoughts are with her.”
