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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Holstein Kiel loses to Freiburg 2-1</li><li>Club relegated from Bundesliga with defeat</li><li>USMNT defender Tolkin going down to 2. Bundesliga with club</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Holstein Kiel, USMNT defender John Tolkin relegated from German Bundesliga after a home loss to Freiburg

<p>A 2-1 home defeat to Freiburg for U.S. international John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel on Saturday confirmed that they will be relegated from the German Bundesliga this season. The fullback, who was a member of the 2024 Paris Olympics roster and helped lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2024 MLS Cup appearance, joined the club in the January transfer window. </p><p>Saturday's result, along with Heidenheim's 3-0 win over Union Berlin left 17th place Kiel four points behind Heidenheim with one match left in the season - confirming their fate.</p><p>Tolkin started and played 71 minutes in the match.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Kiel reached the Bundesliga for the first time in their history during the 2024-25 season, but their stay was short-lived, as they'll now be sent back down to the second division for the 2025-26 season.</p><p>22-year-old Tolkin made eight starts for the club, recording two assists. He missed four matches across February and March with muscular problems.</p><p>Internationally, he has four caps, most recently playing for the senior team in January 2024. Last summer, he helped the U.S. U23 team to a quarterfinal appearance at the Paris Games.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p> Kiel brought in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/new-york-red-bulls-star-john-tolkin-german-bundesliga-side-holstein-kiel-in-transfer-usmnt/blt669a6db8fb0dc6b3" target="_self">Tolkin in a $3 million move to</a> bolster their slim chances of remaining in the German top flight, but the left back and his team are being sent down to the second division of Germany. The club he departed, RBNY, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/led-by-lafc-and-inter-miami-major-league-soccer-boasts-19-of-the-top-50-most-valuable-franchises-in-the-sport/blt4a460fc79b3a5334#csb12f3dbd16ad696b" target="_self">were recently listed as the 45th most valuable club in the world by <em>Sportico</em> -</a> while Kiel were not named.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Tolkin and Kiel will be looking to have a quick return to the Bundesliga and will be playing in the 2. Bundesliga next year.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR TOLKIN?

Holstein Kiel, USMNT defender John Tolkin relegated from German Bundesliga after a home loss to Freiburg | Goal.com

After a home loss to Freiburg, their fate was confirmed, with relegation sealed