Meiko Sponsel has left 1. FC Köln on loan. The 20-year-old defender has joined Rot-Weiss Essen. The club secured promotion to 3. Liga this summer.
Thomas Kessler, Head of First-Team Operations, said: "Meiko has been through our youth academy, is one of our best talents and won the 2019 under-17 German Championship. In the past season, a lengthy injury set him back somewhat. He used this time excellently and came back in superb physical condition. In the pre-season last year, he showed that with his pace and robustness, he has the potential to be part of the first-team in the future. With the loan to Rot-Weiss Essen, we hope that Meiko can make the next steps in his development. There, he will be part of an emotional environment where he has the chance to prove his qualities in a testing league and that he can be part of the first-team."
Meiko Sponsel joined 1. FC Köln at the age of 15, going through all academy teams and has a contract until 2024 at FC. In the 2018-19 season, he scored the winner In the under-17 German Championship final as FC beat Borussia Dortmund 3:2.