Darmstadt loses second striker in a month as Isac Lidberg joins Borussia Mönchengladbach for €3.5m
Swedish forward Isac Lidberg departs SV Darmstadt 98 after two seasons to sign a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, following teammate Fraser Hornby’s exit to Wolfsburg.
A double departure for Darmstadt
After losing Fraser Hornby to VfL Wolfsburg, second-division Darmstadt 98 now says goodbye to top scorer Isac Lidberg. The 27-year-old Swedish striker has joined Borussia Mönchengladbach on a contract running until 2030, for a fee reported at around €3.5 million plus bonuses.
We were prepared for Isac to take the next step this summer after two convincing seasons. For a possible offer we had clear financial expectations, which Mönchengladbach have now met.
Lidberg became the fifth new signing for Gladbach under sport director Rouven Schröder, who described him as an “aggressive centre forward.”
Lidberg’s rise at the Böllenfalltor
Lidberg arrived at Darmstadt from FC Utrecht in August 2024 and quickly established himself as a reliable goalscorer. Over two campaigns he amassed 32 goals in 64 competitive appearances. His 17 strikes in the 2025/26 season made him the second-top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga, behind only Noel Futkeu of Greuther Fürth.
Isac always told me about his dream of playing in the Bundesliga one day. We have always stressed that we want to generate transfer proceeds when the right time comes. That moment is now, and we are proud of the path Isac has taken with us.
He also broke into the Swedish national team at the end of 2024 and has earned three caps.
What Gladbach gets
Schröder highlighted Lidberg’s physicality and finishing instincts as key assets for a Gladbach side looking to strengthen its attack. The fee, while modest by top-flight standards, reflects the club’s strategy of identifying value in proven second-division talent.
Replacing 28 goals
Darmstadt now faces the difficult task of replacing a strike partnership that accounted for 28 league goals last season (Lidberg 17, Hornby 11). Sport director Fernie acknowledged the challenge but stressed that the club will reinvest the transfer income.
- Transfers from FC Utrecht to SV Darmstadt 98
- Debut for the Swedish national team
- Scores 17 goals in the 2. Bundesliga, finishing second in the scoring chart
- Joins Borussia Mönchengladbach for a reported €3.5 million
Timeline of a rapid ascent
Lidberg’s move caps a steep trajectory from the Dutch Eredivisie to the German top flight in under two years.