Olschowsky hangs jersey from his debut in the tunnel

Jan Olschowsky has finally fulfilled a dream and been able to hang up the jersey from his competitive debut for the Foals in Bochum in the tunnel at BORUSSIA-PARK.

Every day, the same tunnel. Borussia players’ jerseys on the wall who have come through the youth system. Jan Olschowsky is now one of them. The 20-year-old goalkeeper has been allowed to hang up his number 41 jersey, which he wore for his debut at the beginning of November in an away game against VfL Bochum, in the tunnel at BORUSSIA-PARK.

“I think that I have spoken a thousand times with Conor Noß how brilliant it would be if both of our jerseys could hang here. Now that it has happened it fills me with a lot of pride,” reported Olschowsky, for whom everything has moved so quickly in November, as he himself suggests: “I’ve still not really been able to process everything.” First the debut in Bochum, then the first appearance in front of a home crowd against BVB and at the same time the first win. “One week later I was back playing with the U23s and on the same day I was voted player of the month by the fans. It was unbelievable. In this break now will probably be the first time I really realise what a month it was for me.”

From young talent to Foals debut

Olschowsky joined Borussia at the age of seven, and has played for all of the Foals youth teams. On 13th October 2018, he made his debut for Borussia’s U23s as a 16-year-old against SV Straelen. With that, he became the youngest Borussia player ever to play in the Regionalliga West. At that age, he took part in first team training from time to time, before travelling with the squad on training camps or taking part in friendlies as a 17-year-old. In 2020, the shotstopper received his first professional contract.

“I get goosebumps every time”

Olschowsky won’t forget the home win against BVB at BORUSSIA-PARK as long as he lives. “When I think about that moment, I get goosebumps every time. You really want to experience something like that again as soon as possible,” he confirmed. The fans played a considerable part in this. Both in Bochum, as well as a few days later against Dortmund, they were loud and proud behind the 20-year-old’s goal. “It was completely crazy. I am very thankful for the support of the fans. They have made me feel really good and made clear to me that they are all behind me.”

In any case, the youngster has earned a few days off. “But I can also hardly wait to be back on the pitch again with the boys and working hard for the first training session in December,” said Olschowsky and continued smiling knowingly: “It is definitely true that I have got a taste of it and am now looking forward to the second half of the season.”