Rot-Weiss Essen presented its seventh new signing just this week. The eighth newcomer could arrive in Essen in the next few hours.

Rot-Weiss Essen announced a new signing for the left-back position during Tuesday’s friendly match (July 1, 2025) against VfB Frohnhausen (8-1) in Stoppenberg.

Franci Bouebari has been loaned from SC Freiburg’s U23 team for one year. Bouebari is the seventh new signing for the Red and Whites this summer, following Marvin Obuz (1. FC Köln), Michael Kostka (Miedz Legnica/Poland), Luca Bazzoli (Preußen Münster), Marek Janssen (SV Meppen), Malte Brüning (Eintracht Trier), and Nico Schulte-Kellinghaus (from the club’s own U19 team).

Forecasting has learned that the eighth summer signing for 2025 could arrive at Hafenstraße this week. This time, it will be a professional for the right-back position.

After Thijmen Goppel decided to move to Bali instead of Bergeborbeck, according to RS, the Red and Whites are now said to have set their sights on Jannik Hofmann as a new right-back. He could then compete with Michael Kostka, who was signed from Polish second division side Legnica, for a place in the starting line-up on the right side of defense.

Hofmann, 23, who is currently still under contract with 1. FC Nürnberg, was on loan to VfB Stuttgart II last season. Hofmann made 14 appearances (one goal) for RWE’s rivals, who narrowly avoided relegation last year. He made nine appearances for 1. FC Nürnberg in the 2nd Bundesliga. The Bayreuth native came up through the youth ranks at 1. FC Nürnberg from 2008 to 2021.

In addition to a right-back, Essen are also looking for a young U23 player for central defense and, of course, a goal-scorer for the attack. Jannik Mause – as reported by RS – is currently considered a hot candidate for the center forward position. However, RWE faces stiff competition here.

The RWE squad for 2025/2026 at a glance – including contract overview:

Goalkeepers: Jakob Golz (contract until June 30, 2027), Felix Wienand (contract until June 30, 2028), Malte Brüning (Eintracht Trier, contract until June 30, 2027)

Right-backs: Nils Kaiser (contract until June 30, 2026), Michael Kostka (contract until June 30, 2027)

Left-backs: Lucas Brumme (contract until June 30, 2027), Franci Bouebari (until June 30, 2026, on loan from SC Freiburg II) Center backs: Michael Schultz, Tobias Kraulich (both contracts until June 30, 2026), Jose Enrique Rios Alonso (contract until June 30, 2027), Nicolai Schulte-Kellinghaus (contract until June 30, 2028) Defensive midfielders: Klaus Gjasula, Tom Moustier, Jimmy Kaparos, Gianluca Swajkowski (all contracts valid until June 30, 2026), Luca Bazzoli (contract until June 30, 2027)

Attacking midfield: Ahmet Arslan, Torben Müsel (both contracts valid until June 30, 2026)

Offensive wing: Ramien Safi, Kelsey Owusu, Kaito Mizuta (all contracts valid until June 30, 2026), Marvin Obuz, Dion Berisha (both contracts valid until June 30, 2027)

Forward: Dominik Martinovic (contract until June 30, 2026), Marek Janssen (contract until June 30, 2027)