Schalke professional to 1860 Munich in the 3rd league

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Status: 03.09.2024, 12:43

From: Lars Pollmann

The 3rd league held its own ‘Deadline Day’ on September 2nd. 1860 Munich strengthened its team at the last minute with a professional from FC Schalke 04.

Gelsenkirchen/Munich – While the ‘deadline day’ of the transfer period in the national leagues was already over on August 30th, the wires in the 3rd league were hot up until Monday evening. The 3rd league has its own transfer deadline, by which time final deals were possible. After 1860 Munich had already landed a sporting breakthrough at the weekend, an exciting transfer was now also achieved.

The Lions have signed the Japanese Soichiro Kozuki from FC Schalke 04. “The necessary documents were submitted on time last night,” Sechzig announced in the transfer announcement. The terms of the transfer have been kept confidential. It is a triangular deal, as Kozuki was previously on loan to the Polish first division club Górnik Zabrze.

Soichiro Kozuki scored a goal in the Bundesliga in 2023

Kozuki has played four games this season for world champion Lukas Podolski’s club and is in top form. “Soichiro is a fast-paced player with a very good character who will fit into our existing team,” said Löwen sports director Dr. Christian Werner. “His technical skills give us further options in our offensive game.”

Kozuki moved from 1.FC Düren in the fifth-tier Mittelrheinliga to the Knappen’s second team in 2022, and recommended himself for the professional division at Schalke with strong performances. The now 23-year-old made his Bundesliga debut at the beginning of 2023, and in his second appearance the attacker scored his first goal in the German top flight against RB Leipzig. In total, Kozuki has played eleven competitive games for the Schalke professionals, but has not been able to establish himself sustainably.

1860 to pay transfer fee in the high five-figure range

When he was loaned to Poland, an exit clause was reportedly agreed upon that could have earned Schalke 300,000 euros. According to the Bild newspaper, a sum in the high five-figure range will now be paid. Kozuki’s playing permit still needs to be clarified, but everyone so far is optimistic in this regard.

“I’m very excited about Munich, the club, the team and also the fans,” said Kozuki himself about his move. “In the discussions I got a very good impression of my new club and I’m now very excited to be able to experience this for myself soon.” According to the tabloid, Kozuki has signed for two years.

“We wish Soichiro all the best for his future career, both in his sporting and private life.” He has developed well since joining our U23 team, but this was unfortunately hampered by an injury. “I trust him to attract attention with good performances in the 3rd division at TSV 1860 Munich,” explained Schalke boss Marc Wilmots.