Gernot Trauner leaves Feyenoord after five years

Defender Gernot Trauner, 34, confirmed his departure from Feyenoord on Instagram, stating that his contract has expired and will not be renewed. The Austrian joined the Dutch club in the summer of 2021 and spent five seasons playing at De Kuip. Feyenoord terminated the expiring agreement in April in line with the collective bargaining agreement. Both sides were allowed to negotiate a new, adapted contract, but no extension was reached. ‘Now it is official. After five unforgettable years my time at Feyenoord has come to an end,’ Trauner wrote on Instagram. He added thanks to the supporters for their incredible support throughout his journey.

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Trauner, affectionately called ‘the Apotheker’ by fans, reflected on the memories he will carry from De Kuip and the 1908 stand. He said the club has become a part of his life and he will miss the chants and atmosphere. Arne Slot signed Trauner as one of his first acquisitions for Feyenoord, paying a fee of approximately one and a half million euros to LASK Linz. The defender quickly became a key figure in the lineup and a cult hero for his on‑field performances and his trademark plaster on the nose. For several seasons Trauner formed a strong defensive partnership with Dávid Hancko, who left for Atlético Madrid last summer. An Achilles tendon injury forced Trauner to miss forty matches this season, though he returned for five final games before the club decided not to continue together. The article concludes by noting that Studio Oranje will feature the Dutch national team, Curaçao and World Cup debutant Deveron Fonville in its upcoming segment.