Team Troy Gooch extends in Düren

SWD powervolleys Düren set the next cornerstone for the new team: libero Troy Gooch extends his contract by one season and will also play in Düren in 2026/27. The 25-year-old American joined from Finland in summer 2025 and immediately established himself among the best defensive leaders in the Bundesliga. The list of top liberos published in early March 2026 confirms this: the league’s coaches voted Gooch third.

The decision came at the end of January

Gooch clearly remembers the moment he finally decided on Düren. It was at the end of January, a few minutes after the tie-break win at home against Helios Grizzlys Giesen. He looked around the arena and knew that this was exactly what he wanted and nothing else, says Gooch, who also had other options for the 2026/27 season.

Beyond that emotional moment, much spoke for Düren. He feels he can develop very well here, with a good coaching staff and good management. Gooch is convinced that Düren will have a team next season that can play for a title. On top of that, he feels at home: from day one he felt welcome and well looked after.

Consistency as the goal this season

First, though, Gooch is focused on the 2025/26 season, in which Düren have shown they can beat the top teams. Now it is about becoming more consistent: if the team plays at its upper level more reliably, it will be hard to beat.

A libero who steadies the team

Managing director Tomas Kocian-Falkenbach welcomes the defensive leader staying. Gooch may not be the most eye-catching player for spectators, but he certainly is for his teammates. He communicates, organizes the defense and makes the game easier for the others. With his reception and defense he steadies the whole team – which is why the extension was enormously important for the club.