Malte Karbstein

Malte Karbstein arrived at Jahn Regensburg in January 2026 on a free transfer, signing a contract that runs to June 2027 and closing a chapter of nearly four years at SV Waldhof Mannheim, where the left-footed centre-back made 63 league appearances in the 3. Liga. His squad number at the new club is a small point of confusion: while one outlet listed him with 41, match photos and other sources have him wearing 44.

Karbstein's path started close to home, coming through the youth ranks at MSV Neuruppin before Energie Cottbus took him on for the under-17 and under-19 sides. He broke into Cottbus's first team in the 3. Liga and Regionalliga Nord, making 35 appearances and scoring twice, and was part of the squad that won promotion to the 3. Liga in 2018.

That form earned him a move to Werder Bremen II the same year, for a reported fee of €100,000, where he captained the Regionalliga Nord side across 33 appearances. Two years later he switched to Kickers Offenbach on a free transfer, and it was there that he showed his most productive attacking output for a defender, scoring seven goals in 48 matches in the Regionalliga Südwest.

Karbstein has also picked up a string of regional honours over his career, including a Regionalliga Northeast championship, a Brandenburg Cup, three Hessen Cups and a Baden Cup, culminating in his move up to Jahn Regensburg.