Noel Futkeu’s departure on July 1, 2023, has been compared to chewing gum – it was expected for weeks that the ETB Schwarz-Weiss Essen striker would leave, but the destination remained a mystery.
However, it appears that a final decision has been made after various clubs, including Wuppertaler SV, Fortuna Düsseldorf II, FC Schalke 04 II, and SSVg Velbert, expressed interest in him.
Despite participating in a test match against VfL Bochum and undergoing trial training with Twente Enschede, the Dutch first division team decided not to sign Futkeu.
However, according to reports, three clubs are still in the running, with Borussia Mönchengladbach II and Rot-Weiss Essen no longer in the picture.
It is believed that Futkeu will switch to 1. FC Magdeburg in the 2nd Bundesliga and sign a three-year contract with an option for another season until June 30, 2026.
RevierSport reported in January 2020 that Noel Futkeu, who was then playing for RWE, had caught the attention of ex-RWE trainer Christian Titz. Titz praised Futkeu’s carefree attitude, which he believed was an advantage.
He also mentioned that they would discuss with Futkeu’s family and school about the possibility of him training with the team regularly, as the school had to take priority.
Titz emphasized that it would be an interplay between the U19s and the first team, and they would have to assess on a weekly basis how feasible it was for Futkeu to train with the senior team.
This would reunite him with former RWE team-mates Amara Condé and Daniel Heber, as well as Christian Titz, who once took him to a Spain training camp in January 2020 when he was an U19 player at RWE.
If Futkeu doesn’t make an immediate impact at FCM in the 2nd division, he could have the opportunity to play in the premier league as the second team of Magdeburg is on track to move up to the 5th division.
It has been reported that a return to Hafenstrasse is not on the cards, despite an exploratory talk with RWE in January 2023.
