Barnsley: How a Christmas trip to see Reds sparked a dream that would become a reality for Mike Bahre

It was watching Barnsley in the Championship that made Mike Bahre dream about his future.
Mike Bahre's first experience of the Championship involved Barnsley. Picture Scott MerryleesMike Bahre's first experience of the Championship involved Barnsley. Picture Scott Merrylees
Mike Bahre's first experience of the Championship involved Barnsley. Picture Scott Merrylees

The German was watching the Reds at Fulham two years ago on a visit to England which also saw him take in a Premier League game.

It was pure chance that he stumbled on Barnsley, but watching the game made him realise he wanted to play in the Championship.

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Two years on he has made that dream become a reality and, fittingly, it will be with the Tykes.

The 23-year-old has completed a permanent move to Oakwell after the Reds exercised the option on his season-long loan deal.

He will join from Hannover on a long-term contract when the transfer window officially opens next month, subject to international clearance.

“I was in England, in London with my family because we came to watch Arsenal play Liverpool just before Christmas in 2017,” Bahre said.

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“But we were here a few days and that was a Friday night, so the next day we saw that Fulham were playing and went to their match.

“It was against Barnsley! And I remember watching the game and thinking, ‘I wish I was playing in the Championship’, so it’s a dream come true!”

It was always the intention for Bahre to make a permanent move to South Yorkshire after he followed boss Daniel Stendel over from Germany last summer.

He arrived on a season-long loan in August, beating the summer transfer window by a matter of seconds.

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His performances in League One for the Reds contributed to their promotion as he made 44 appearances.

So to get the deal done has left him relieved after he felt he delivered his best after Christmas.

“I’m so happy, relieved even, that it’s finally happened,” he added. “When I came here nine months ago I had an expectation, a dream of sorts, of what I wanted from the loan.

“And that is exactly what has happened now.

“We had an amazing season and I feel I played my part in that.

“I was OK at the start but I think that in the second half of the campaign I really showed my best form as we claimed second place.”