Ebbsfleet United’s latest signing adds a central defender to manager Dennis Kutrieb’s squad – and it’s a player the manager knows very well indeed.

Sefa Kahraman, 23, has signed from Kutrieb’s former employers Tennis Borussia Berlin having helped the German club to successive promotions, most recently in 2019/20.

The 6ft 1in Berlin native started out with Hertha Zehlendorf and played for TeBe’s U17s before turning out for Werder Bremen’s U19s and Bundesliga II side and later Berliner AK07 in Germany’s fourth tier.

He returned to TeBe in February 2018 and has proven instrumental in the club’s rise up the leagues.

Kutrieb told the Fleet website of the club’s latest acquisition, “He is a young and talented prospect who played for Bundesliga club Werder Bremen’s youth side. Over the past two years, he has played almost every game for me at TeBe. He’s good on the ball, keeps possession very well and adds a few goals as well [see link below for one worthy strike in last year’s TeBe promotion campaign].

“Sefa was a big credit for me and the team in the success we had over the past two years and was very much responsible for our defensive record,” Kutrieb added. “We conceded only 17 goals in 19 games and we won 10 home games out of 10 with only five goals against in that time. He is eager to get started on this adventure in England with us and he will be a big plus for Ebbsfleet this season.”