Official | Köln attacking prospect Jaka Čuber Potočnik receives 3. Liga loan | OneFootball

FC Köln have officially confirmed Jaka Čuber Potočnik’s loan out to 3. Liga outfit Rot-Weiß Essen. The Slovenian youth international – the subject of Köln’s controversial two-year transfer-ban – had to date made only one appearance in the 2. Bundesliga for the Kölner senior team.

The 20-year-old nevertheless has done well for the clubs U19s and U21s. Potočnik scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for the Kölner reserves in the German fourth division last season.

“It is crucial for Jaka that he gains playing experience week after week,” Köln academy functionary Lukas Berg explained in a club statement accompanying the transaction. “He has now outgrown our U21 team, but his chances of playing time in the Bundesliga are still limited. We’re very happy that he will be able to continue his development in an ambitious environment and through regular appearances in the third division next season.”

“[We’ve acquired a ] young and hungry striker with very good finishing skills,” RWE director Marcus Steegmann added. “He is strong in the air and can position himself excellently in the box, which means he always gets into good scoring positions. He’s very gifted technically.”

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Potočnik himself said. “The club and the fans offer me the perfect conditions for my further development. I am sure that I can take the next step in my career here. The third division is of an extremely high standard and I want to play a key role for RWE in the new season.“

GGFN | Peter Weis