Essen’s second season in the Bundesliga ended with a consecutive DFB-Pokal being lifted, meaning another season in Europa League group stages. Essen have managed to retain all of their starting players with no offers arriving from economically superior clubs. Additionally, squad depth has been improved and Beifus has returned after relegation with Southampton!

With squad quality dramatically improved this season, the board expects a push for Champions league spots and even better progress in the Europa league

Rules to keep CM realistic:

⭕️ Maximum €13m on each player signing

⭕️ Maximum €0m plus allocated sales funds spent on players across season

⭕️ At least 12 players trained by German club in the squad (4 U23)

⭕️ Not allowed to sign 81+ players

⭕️ Not allowed to sign 76+ players U25

⭕️ Top players in squad must be sold/allowed to leave on free to superior club

⭕️ Player contracts cannot exceed 3 years (U23 4 years)

Transfers (Summer 2028)

OUT

Anosike Ementa - -> Wolfsberger AC (€3.5m)

Constantin Pelletier - -> Śląsk Wrocław (1-Year Loan)

Hendrik Bonmann - -> Antalyaspor Kulübü (Free Transfer)

André Hoffmann - -> (Retired)

Nick Hofmann - -> (Without Club)

Parfait Bizoza - -> KV Kortrijk (€1.75m)

Levent Mercan - -> KV Mechelen (€3.9m Release Clause Activated)

Alexander Prokopenko - -> CFR 1907 Cluj (€700k)

Phillip Tietz - -> SL Benfica (€7.1m)

Nick Albrecht - -> SG Dynamo Dresden (1-Year Loan)

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IN

Cho Young-wook - SC Paderborn -> (€4.5m)

Julian Eitschberger - Rayo Vallecano -> (€2.5m)

Marcel Beifus - Southampton FC -> (Free Transfer)

Maduka Okoye - Real Zaragoza -> (€10.5m)

Julian Weigl - Borussia Mönchengladbach -> (Free Transfer)

Iñaki Nieto - RB Leipzig -> (1-Year Loan With €5m Option To Buy)

Gjokë Sylejmani - Spezia Calcio -> (1-Year Loan With €1.25m Option To Buy)

Jean-Philippe Krasso - AS Saint-Étienne -> (Free Transfer)

Maxim Haufiku - RW Essen U19 -> (Promoted From Academy)

Constantin Pelletier - Leverkusen U19 -> (Free Transfer)