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Reviersport and the Kölner Geißblog are both reporting that FC Köln prospect Jaka Čuber Potočnik will be loaned out to Rot-Weiß Essen in the 3. Liga this season. The controversial subject of Köln’s two-year-transfer ban has been training with the first team of his current Bundesliga outfit since January 2024, yet has made only one senior appearance in the 2. Bundesliga.
Potočnik has rejected a loan move in the past, but should be amenable to a chance to earn more playing time at this point. The 20-year-old attacker recently represented his native Slovenia at the UEFA U21 European Championships, however, and remains on vacation leave for the time being. It may thus take time for a deal to be ironed out.
The forthcoming departure of striker Damion Downs could also conceivably open up a chance for Potočnik once newly appointed head coach Lukas Kwasniok gets a chance to observe the youngster in training. Kwasniok addressed Downs’ departure in addition to speaking on the imminent arrival of keeper Ron-Robert Zieler at a Monday press round.
“I realize that if he [Downs] leaves, there will be talk about who will replace him,” Kwasniok said. “But we’ve already made some moves. Ragnar Ache is already here and we have a great attacking line behind him. If we had to play now, we’d have a really good team. But we’re still trying to optimize it.”
Köln have been liked with a move for French second division striker Timothé Nkada.
GGFN | Peter Weis
