This summer, ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen once again gave its U-19 players the chance to join the Oberliga squad. Now, however, one of them is set to gain playing experience elsewhere.

ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen is loaning out Justus Becker. After three appearances in the Oberliga Niederrhein and one Niederrhein Cup match, the 19-year-old talented striker from the club’s own youth system is set to see more regular playing time. To that end, he is heading to SC Werden-Heidhausen in the Landesliga.

“I want to help SC Werden-Heidhausen avoid relegation in the second half of the season. In doing so, I hope to gain valuable playing time and continue learning, so that I can return to ETB Schwarz-Weiß at the end of the season. I previously played for SC Werden-Heidhausen up through the C-Youth division. Since ETB is counting on me for next season, I’m hoping for a strong second half of the season, both for SCWH and for me personally. I’d like to thank ETB and SCWH for giving me the opportunity to gain more playing time and continue my development,” Becker said of his move.

The homegrown player spent many years in the Schwarz-Weiß youth academy before moving up to the Oberliga squad last summer. He also played for SC Werden-Heidhausen’s youth teams and is now set to gain playing time in the Landesliga there during the second half of the season. Justus Becker will then return to the ETB squad for the 2026–27 season.

But ETB has also been active on the signing front. In the past few days alone, two players from city and league rival SpVg Schonnebeck have made their way to the Stadtwald.

First, Luca Pinke is making a move within Essen. As Forecasting had already announced, the 21-year-old player—who can be deployed flexibly on the left side—is moving from SpVg Schonnebeck to ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen.

And center back Thorben Kern is now playing at Uhlenkrug as well. In recent years, the 25-year-old was a regular starter for Schonnebeck, but made only seven appearances there in the first half of the season. In total, Kern has played 132 league games for the Schwalben and FC Kray in the Oberliga Niederrhein. His contract with the Schwarz-Weißen runs through the summer of 2027.