1. FC Köln have loaned out striker Jaka Cuber Potocnik. The 20-year-old Slovenian, who was part of their under-21 squad at the European Championship this summer, will join 3. Liga side, Rot-Weiss Essen for the coming season. The plan is for the young forward to take the next step in his development there.
“The most important thing for Jaka is that he gets game time week on week. He has outgrown our under-21s and the chance of minutes in the Bundesliga is somewhat reduced. Long-term, we believe that he can make that step. For that reason, we are really pleased that he can spend the next season in an ambitious environment and get regular minutes in the 3. Liga to continue his development,” explained 1. FC Köln’s Technical Director, Lukas Berg.
Jaka Cuber Potocnik said: “The desire from FC and myself was to gain more game time and continue my development. There were several different options. In the discussions with Essen, I had the best feeling, and I think that is the right step for me now. My goal is to score as many times as possible. I wish my colleagues at FC the best and hope that FC can have a good season in the Bundesliga.”
Jaka Cuber Potocnik joined the FC Academy in January 2022 from his homeland in Slovenia. In 2023, he won the U19 DFB-Pokal, scoring twice in the run to the final. In 35 under-19 games, Potocnik scored 23 goals. That is the exact number of matches he played for the under-21s, netting 15 times. In September 2024, the striker made his first-team debut in RheinEnergieSTADION against Karlsruher SC.