Karlsruher SC did not exercise the option to buy Leon Opitz. The 21-year-old midfielder returns to his parent club SV Werder Bremen after a season in the Baden region. The decision not to exercise the option was announced by Karlsruher SC on their website on Wednesday, June 3. The 21-year-old loanee made his comeback in the final KSC away game of the 2025/26 season against SC Paderborn 07. What he didn't know at the time: it would be his last appearance in the blue and white jersey. Karlsruher SC took their time to weigh up what was possible for Opitz beyond the summer. After several talks, they came to the decision not to exercise the option. The 21-year-old midfielder bid farewell to the KSC fans on Wednesday via a video message on the Badener's Instagram channel and thanked them for the past season.