Darmstadt 98 loses its two top strikers to the Bundesliga. Together, Fraser Hornby and Isac Lidberg achieved 40 goal involvements in the just-ended season. Darmstadt – Shortly after Fraser Hornby (26) leaves SV Darmstadt 98, the second striker in the second division also departs. The British Hornby's transfer to new league rival VfB Wolfsburg was already fixed at the beginning of last week. Now follows the Swedish Isac Lidberg (26), who has been signed by Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach. The transfer was in the final stages on Monday evening. Similar to the top scorer Hornby, Lidberg is expected to receive around four million euros immediately and corresponding performance-related bonuses later. Both professionals had only one more year left on their contract with the South Hessians. Therefore, sports director Paul Fernie is very satisfied with the transfers, which could bring in a two-digit million sum together. At the same time, Fernie is also clear that the two best attacking players must be replaced urgently. Hornby (11 goals and 9 assists) and Lidberg (17 goals and 3 assists) achieved a total of 40 second division goal involvements in the just-ended season. Thanks to them, the lilies were a serious promotion candidate until deep into the spring and belonged to the four most attacking second division teams. If both had been available throughout the season, it would have been possible to achieve at least a relegation spot. But the former Scottish U21 international Hornby missed seven games due to illness or injury since mid-February. Lidberg hung in the air without his usual partner in the attack. The powerful striker had even made it into the Swedish national team due to his good performances in Darmstadt. However, he was not nominated for the World Cup. Hornby's hopes of playing for Scotland at the World Cup were also dashed in the course of the Darmstadt spring crisis. Hornby was signed for 1.8 million euros three years ago as a king transfer to the Bundesliga newcomer, Lidberg a year later for 1.1 million euros to the relegation candidate in the second division. Sports director Fernie will not reinvest the entire amount that the fifth-placed team of the past season received for the two in the squad. A part goes into the club's substance and infrastructure. But Fernie is optimistic that he can close the gaps with a large part of the fresh capital. It will not be easy. In the attack, there is also a gap because the two loan players Marco Richter and Niklas Schmidt will also not be part of the squad next season. Richter's expectations were not met, and the two often switched between light and shadow. The cost-benefit calculation did not work out for either of them. Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Will is expected to return from his loan to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The 27-year-old played well for the Franken. There could also be movement in the defense: Innenverteidiger Matej Maglica has a market after his strong season. The tall Croatian is able to prove himself in both defense and midfield.