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German Bundesliga team VfL Bochum is set to become the latest European football team to enter into esports as they announce the signing of FIFA players Michael “MegaBit_98” Bittner and Daniel “Dani_Fink96” Fink.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]VfL Bochum will be the fifth German football club to compete in FIFA, and the first from the second division of the German Bundesliga.[/perfectpullquote]

Behind VfL Bochum’s move into esports is consulting partner STARK eSports GmbH. Managing Director of STARK eSports, Dennis Andreas Nirtl, had this to say:

“As a company based in Bochum, we are especially proud that VfL, as the first two-time league player in Germany, has recognized the enormous potential of the esports market. With Michael and Daniel, the VfL is committed to two strong talents, who are sure to be a worthy representative of the club.”

VfL board member Wilken Engelbracht also agrees that the time is right for the club to move into esports:

“We see FIFA esports as a digital extension of our core business. Many of our marketing partners are not only looking for the possibility to advertise on the jersey or a TV brand, but also want to reach the younger target group through our online channels. Through our commitment to esports, we are able to create and offer entirely new advertising opportunities to fulfil these wishes.”

VfL Bochum will be the fifth German football club to compete in FIFA, and the first from the second division of the German Bundesliga. They join non-German teams such Paris Saint-Germain from France, Ajax Football Club from the Dutch Eredivisie, and English Premier League team Manchester City.

As reflected in this week’s TEO Poll, a long list of traditional sports organisations have entered esports this year, with many European brands choosing to go the FIFA route. Combined with the teams that are willing to make big splashes in more mainstream esports, like Paris Saint-Germain buying Team Huma’s European League of Legends challenger spot late last year, it’s clear that more and more non-endemic sports brands will begin taking the plunge in the near future.