Bayer Leverkusen prospect Francis receives loan out to Bochum
The 18-year-old who became Bayer Leverkusen's eighth youngest professional this year will receive a chance to hone his skills in the 2. Bundesliga next season. Germany U18 international Francis Onyeka received a contract extension (through 2028) and loan out to VfL Bochum on Tuesday. Onyeka made two first-team appearances with Leverkusen this season in the DFB Pokal and Champions League.
The versatile attacker – who has proven himself capable of playing at the six, eight, and ten positions – won the Fritz Walter Medal as the greatest talent in the DFB's U-17 division after 2023/24 season. He reached the final of the German A-Junior Championship with Leverkusen's U19 team this year.
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'Francis Onyeka has developed into an outstanding player in Bayer 04's youth ranks in recent years,' Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes noted in a club statement. 'He will continue to improve in Bochum through regular appearances at a high level. VfL gets a great talent who can then make the step up to a player with excellent opportunities at Bayer 04.'
'[Onyeka is] one of the most talented players of his age group in Germany and has had an exceptional season,' Bochum sporting director Dirk Dufner added in his own statement. 'His technical skills and attacking instincts caught our attention, especially as he has already been able to acclimate to a high training level and playing with the pros and has also taken on responsibility as captain of the U19 team.'
'I've always been impressed by the atmosphere [in Bochum],' Onyeka himself said. 'I hope I can convince and get as much playing time as possible. The 2. Bundesliga is physically demanding and it will be a real challenge.'
GGFN | Peter Weis
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New York Times
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