Nuremberg also concedes
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With a record of 28 scorers in 63 games, center forward Leonardo Vonic is saying goodbye to third division club Rot-Weiss Essen after a year and a half. According to consistent reports, the 21-year-old is joining the traditional Portuguese club FC Porto and will initially play for the U23s there. The transfer of the Croatian, who was born in Darmstadt, reportedly brings the third-highest transfer fee in the club’s history into RWE’s coffers, but Vonic’s training club 1. FC Nürnberg also cashes in.
The Portuguese transferred 500,000 euros to North Rhine-Westphalia; Essen was only able to make more profit in the past with the sales of former national players Horst Hrubesch and Frank Mill. The attacker, who can be used variably in the offensive, came from 1. FC Nürnberg in the summer of 2023 for 100,000 euros, which is exactly the amount the club will now earn when the move is completed as part of a resale share. In Porto, Vonic should sign a contract until 2029 including an option for another season. The professional said goodbye to the team on Friday, reports the “WAZ”, and the medical check with the Portuguese is still pending.
RWE coach Uwe Koschinat explained with regard to the youngster’s impending departure: “I am now assuming that the transfer is on its last legs. The player is free for this story and therefore plays no role in my planning now. I developed a really great relationship with Leo Vonic very, very quickly. We talked for a long time before the Stuttgart game in December. He basically told me again that he was willing to change and that he also thought the time was right. The communication in the training camp was excellent between him and me.”
The traditional club, which is threatened with relegation, has signed three new signings so far this winter. Including center forward Dominik Martinovic from Croatian first division club Slaven Belupo, who could act as Vonic’s replacement. Marek Janssen from SV Meppen, who was considered the ideal striker, will only move to Hafenstrasse in the summer.