German club SV Darmstadt have unveiled plans to rename their stadium in honour of fan who lost his battle with cancer in March earlier this year.
The stadium has been renamed the Jonathan-Heimes Stadion am Boellenfalltor, with major sponsor Merck deciding to hand over the naming rights of the stadium for the remainder of this season.
Jonathan Heimes played a big part in the club’s community, raising thousands of dollars for a number of cancer charities during his life.
“Everyone who identifies with us, identifies with Jonathan,” Darmstadt captain Aytac Sulu told the club’s website.
“Jonathan was a strong companion of Darmstadt success, despite his illness, Jonathan has repeatedly given the team a lot of energy,” club president Rudiger Fritsch said.
The decision to rename the stadium stemmed from an idea of Heimes’ father, Martin, who is an employee of Merck; he said the decision was a “great gesture”.
Darmstadt will be hoping to secure their place in Germany’s top flight, having finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season, following two straight promotions.
They will host Eintracht Frankfurt in their first game in the renamed stadium on the weekend.
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