The third international break of the current season and the third roundup: How are Rot-Weiß Oberhausen’s 2025 summer departures faring?

Rot-Weiß Oberhausen said goodbye to ten players in the summer of 2025—here’s how things are going for the former RWO pros—an overview:

Timur Mehmet Kesim (Hertha BSC II):

RWO had long fought to retain the striker’s services, but he ultimately decided to move to the capital. Things are anything but smooth for Kesim there. The reason: Kesim had been sidelined by injury for a long time since preseason. But now there’s light at the end of the tunnel: On November 7, 2025, the Oberhausen player—who had scored 15 goals—made his debut in the jersey of Berlin’s Hertha. During Hertha’s reserve team’s 1-0 victory over FSV Luckenwalde, the 21-year-old Kesim came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute. More appearances are likely to follow this year.

Tarsis Bonga (Würzburger Kickers):

Things are going quite differently—and much better—for Tarsis Bonga in the Bavarian Regional League. With the Würzburger Kickers, the 28-year-old has been in the promotion race since the start of the season. And Bonga is a key player. This is underscored by his eight goals in 16 games so far, plus two assists. Würzburg is in third place, just two points behind league leader 1. FC Nürnberg II. For RWO, Bonga scored nine goals in 23 games during the 2024–2025 season.

Denis Donkor (TSG Hoffenheim II):

Former RWO winger Denis Donkor still has to get used to his new surroundings and a new league. For the third-division reserve team of Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim, the 21-year-old has made just two brief appearances so far, totaling 21 minutes of playing time. By comparison, here are his RWO stats from the 2024–2025 season: 33 games, two goals, 13 assists.

Kerem Yalcin (SC Paderborn II):

Kerem Yalcin seems to have made all the right moves with his transfer. The defensive specialist has made twelve Regionalliga appearances and scored one goal for Paderborn. Even better: In the SCP first team’s most recent 2. Bundesliga matches against Fortuna Düsseldorf and at 1. FC Nürnberg, the 20-year-old was named to the matchday roster—just as he was most recently against 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Eintracht Braunschweig. However, Yalcin still has to wait for his first minute of 2. Bundesliga action with the current league leaders.

Cottrell Ezekwem (SV Rödinghausen):

He originally joined RWO as a center back and then left Lindnerstraße in the summer of 2025 to join SV Rödinghausen as a forward. In 14 games, he has yet to score a single goal for SVR. Still, Cottrell Ezekwem found the back of the net twice in two Westphalia Cup matches. While RWO is in the thick of the promotion race, Ezekwem is stuck at the bottom of the table with Rödinghausen.

Diamant Berisha (Sportfreunde Lotte):

The attacking player has yet to move beyond a reserve role at Lotter Kreuz. In the league, he has made eight appearances so far—without a goal or an assist. In the Westphalia Cup, he matched Ezekwem’s record—two appearances, two goals.

Jonah Husseck (TSG Sprockhövel):

The 21-year-old center back spent a long time recovering from a meniscus injury. Then, on November 9, he made his comeback—and what a comeback it was. In the 4-2 victory over Türkspor Dortmund, Husseck scored a goal right away. He played for over 18 minutes.

Ozan Hot (1. FC Kaiserslautern II):

The 20-year-old has established himself with the FCK reserves and is a key player on the Oberliga team. In twelve matches, he played five times as a center back—six times for the full 90 minutes, twice for 45 minutes, and once each for 23, 20, and 11 minutes. He did not play in three matches. He has also played in the defensive midfield position. Kaiserslautern II is in second place—four points behind FK Pirmasens.

Leon Kayser (SC Preußen Münster II):

The right winger has made nine appearances totaling 250 minutes of playing time for the Preußen reserve team, which competes in the Oberliga Westfalen. Still, Kayser managed to contribute two assists.

Robin Benz (Destination unknown):

The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who made 76 appearances for RWO, is still looking for a new club.