Two days after the season finale in the 3. Liga, Rot-Weiss Essen has signed its first new signing.
Vinko Sapina will leave Sportclub Verl in the summer and join Rot-Weiss Essen. This was announced by both clubs on Whit Monday. Forecasting had already announced this transfer in the past few days.
Both sides agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer. Sapina had a contract at Verl until 2025, and according to RS information, RWE will pay a five-figure transfer fee.
Sebastian Lange, sports director of SC Verl, said of the transfer: “Of course we would have liked to continue with Vinko. There are always situations that have to be assessed individually. In Vinko’s case, we were able to achieve a transfer fee and it was also the player’s wish to leave the club. We wish Vinko the best in his private and sporting life.”
Sapina impresses with his height of 1.94 metres, is strong in heading and tackling. But he is not the typical “hoover six”. Sapina is more of an impulse and idea generator. Despite his height, he is technically skilled and can play the decisive ball deep.
He moved to Verl from SSV Ulm in the summer of 2021 and has since played 61 matches (four goals, six assists) for Sportclub.
“We are convinced that he will do our game good with more physicality and force. With Vinko Sapina, we have found such a player. Vinko has developed very well in the last two years and has also consistently proven his qualities in the 3. Liga. We are convinced that Vinko will be a great reinforcement for us,” says Marcus Steegmann, Essen’s squad planner.
“Vinko Sapina brings many playful solutions, but also fighting elements. He is very ball-secure and resistant to pressing, demands many balls and has a high level of game intelligence. Due to his height, he is also very strong in tackles and headers, which gives his team great security. I am very much looking forward to working with him,” added head coach Christoph Dabrowski.
The RWE squad for 2023/2024 at a glance:
Loan players returning (6): Timur Kesim (Wattenscheid 09), Nico Haiduk (ETB SW Essen), Sascha Voelcke (1. FC Bocholt), Nils Kaiser (SC Wiedenbrück), Fabian Rüth (RW Koblenz), Erolind Krasniqi (Teutonia 05).
Contracts until 2024: Felix Wienand, José-Enrique Rios Alonso, Felix Bastians, Sandro Plechaty, Björn Rother, Clemens Fandrich, Thomas Eisfeld, Torben Müsel, Isaiah Young, Aurel Loubongo, Cedric Harenbrock, Ron Berlinski, Felix Götze
until 2025: Mustafa Kourouma, Andreas Wiegel, Jakob Golz
Additions Vinko Sapina (SC Verl).
Future open: Lawrence Ennali
Departures: Simon Engelmann (SV Rödinghausen), Moritz Römling (VfL Bochum, was on loan), Meiko Sponsel (1. FC Köln, was on loan), Luca Wollschläger (Hertha BSC, was on loan), Raphael Koczor (FC Kray), Niklas Tarnat, Oguzhan Kefkir, Felix Herzenbruch, Kevin Holzweiler, Michel Niemeyer (all destination unknown)