A former footballer has revealed he fell in love with and married his club’s mascot.
Markus Krosche met his partner during his playing career at German side Paderborn and, despite the bizarre costume she was made to wear, fell head over heels for her.
He made 373 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2014, enjoying his best years on the pitch, and they also helped him find romance in the most peculiar way.
During a chance meeting, Krosche first met Viktoria, who occasionally worked as the mascot on matchdays, donning a large ‘Holli’ mouse costume.
Appearing on the podcast ‘Phrasenmaher’, he shed more light on their origin story.
‘Viktoria worked for an agency that marketed the mascot,’ said Krosche. ‘She worked there at the same time as her studies. That’s how we met.’
Former footballer Markus Krosche fell in love with his wife after meeting her as a mascot
His partner Viktoria occasionally donned Paderborn’s ‘Holli’ the mouse costume
The happy couple are pictured together at the German Sports Media Ball last November
The magic then began to grow between the couple and they eventually tied the knot.
Jokingly asked if he had married the mascot, a smiling Krosche responded: ‘I wouldn’t put it like that, but it’s true, yes. This is our story.’
Holli the mascot has long been associated with Paderborn. The blue character, complete with a large head and bright red nose, takes photos with supporters in and around the stadium and looks to build up the pre-match atmosphere.
Away from his marriage, Krosche is now in the world of football administration.
After playing for just two teams, Paderborn and Werder Bremen II, he hung up his boots and became the head coach of Paderborn II.
He then joined Roger Schmidt as assisant coach at Bayer Leverkusen for two years.
In March 2017, he became sports director at Paderborn, who were promoted from the 3. Liga to the Bundesliga under his stewardship.
RB Leipzig then appointed Krosche to become their sporting director in July 2019, replacing Ralf Rangnick. He took up the same role at Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021.
Krosche took up his current role at Frankfurt’s CEO in July 2023.