The former world handball player Henning Fritz returns to goal nine years after the end of his career and helps SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the championship race.
The second in the Bundesliga announced this Friday.
The 46-year-old former national goalkeeper should be an alternative in goal for the remaining five weeks until the end of the season after the injury to regular goalkeeper Benjamin Buric.
Number one between the posts is currently Torbjoern Bergerud.
"I would not have thought it possible that I would return to the handball goal after all," said Fritz, who is currently commenting on Bundesliga games as a Sky expert.
Fritz is already entitled to play in the game at TBV Lemgo Lippe on Sunday.
The world champion was still in action as a TV expert at the Flensburg game on Wednesday at the home game of Flensburg against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen (26:26).
During his time as a professional, Fritz was active for SC Magdeburg, THW Kiel and the Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
In 235 games he was in the goal of the German national team.
His greatest successes include winning the Olympic silver medal in 2004, winning the European Championship in the same year and winning the 2007 World Cup.
"I keep fit several times a week with Crossfit and jogging and I feel ready to support the SG in this phase of the season," said the Magdeburg native.
He is happy "to be part of it again and to make my contribution to successful games".
Flensburg's head coach Maik Machulla praises the "unbelievable experience" of his former team-mate from times together at SC Magdeburg.
Fritz will give Torbjoern “very good selective support and keep his back free,” he said.