Mainz 05 loan Ersatztorwart Lasse Rieß to Fortuna Düsseldorf

Mainz 05 development move: Lasse Rieß joins Fortuna Düsseldorf on one-year loan

Mainz 05 have extended goalkeeper Lasse Rieß's contract by one year and loaned the 24-year-old to Fortuna Düsseldorf for the 2026/27 season. The move sends the reserve keeper to the third division to gain match practice, a decision that impacts both his career and Mainz’s squad planning. With zero points and zero goals after zero matches, the FSV currently sit 10th in the Bundesliga - yet the transfer underscores Mainz’s commitment to nurturing young talent like Rieß.

What happened?

The 24-year-old stopper, a product of Mainz’s youth academy, will wear the number 1 shirt at Fortuna Düsseldorf. His departure follows the exits of Florian Kastenmeier and Marcel Lotka, leaving Mainz needing cover between the posts. Rieß made six Bundesliga appearances for Mainz 05 plus one in the Conference League, plus outings for the U23 side. His contract in Mainz now runs until summer 2027 - yet the coming season will be spent in Düsseldorf.

„With Lasse we’re signing a goalkeeper who embodies modern goalkeeping and fits our playing philosophy perfectly with his qualities,“ said Samir Arabi, sporting director at Fortuna Düsseldorf, in a club statement. The club stressed Rieß brings Bundesliga experience and could become a key figure.

Why it matters for Mainz 05

For Mainz 05, this is about more than a squad reshuffle. „We still believe in Lasse and his qualities, which is why we extended his contract,“ explained Niko Bungert, sporting director at Mainz 05. „Players make their biggest strides when they’re playing regularly.“ The loan is a clear vote of confidence in youth development - and a chance for Rieß to prove himself under match pressure.

Fortuna Düsseldorf, meanwhile, gains a stopper who has already tasted Bundesliga football. Rieß’ experience could shore up their defence in the third tier, while Mainz secures long-term options by extending his deal.

What’s next?

Mainz 05 start the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with zero points and zero goals after zero matches, sitting 10th. Yet the Rieß loan shows the club’s continued faith in homegrown talent. Whether the move pays off will become clear over the course of the third-division campaign - but the groundwork is laid.

For Fortuna Düsseldorf, the signing is a statement: a Bundesliga-experienced goalkeeper to strengthen the backline. Rieß gets the chance to stake a claim as first-choice stopper. Both clubs stand to gain from a smart personnel decision.