FC Ingolstadt undergoing change in dynamics - Examining the current status of The Chancers
**FC Ingolstadt Strengthens Squad Ahead of New Season**
FC Ingolstadt has been active in the transfer market during the current window, bolstering their squad for the upcoming season. The German club has signed a total of nine new players, including Julian Eitschberger from Rot-Weiß Essen, Tim Hoffmann from Erzgebirge Aue, Leon Jensen from Karlsruhe, Niklas Kolbe from Ulm, Maurice Krattenmacher on loan from Bayern Munich, Robert Kwasigroch from Fortuna Düsseldorf, Kelian Nsona from Emmen, Agustin Rogel from Internacional, and Paul Seguin from Schalke.
Sebastian Grønning, who has also been listed as a new signing, completes the list of new arrivals at the club.
The extensive upheaval in the Schanzer squad follows the third consecutive missed promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. Last summer, 15 players left FCI, compared to 13 arrivals. Major upheavals in the FCI squad are not uncommon, but this year's transfer window has seen a significant imbalance in the coming and going of players.
FCI has money for further acquisitions due to the sale of young performers, the release of players with running contracts, and the termination of former coach Michael Köllner's contract. The club aims to fill one or two positions, as stated by sporting director Ivica Grlic a week ago.
One potential area of concern for FCI is the left-back position, with only one established player if trial player Leon Guwara stays at Energie Cottbus. Faroukou Cissé, formerly of Standard Liège, and Bjarne Thölke from 1. FC Saarbrücken are potential reinforcements for the positions where FCI has lost substance due to departures.
A goalkeeper, Kai Eisele from SpVgg Unterhaching, has been identified as a challenger for Markus Ponath. Despite Julian Kügel's return, FCI might still look to add to their offensive players, with Jonas Scholz from Dutch second division club Helmond Sport being considered for the inside defender position.
Fans would be pleased with one or two more "Wanted" posters or videos featuring a Beiersdorfer phone call, as the club looks to finalise their squad before the first league game, which is in a month, but FCI can still sign players until September 1st.
Last year's shooting stars Deniz Zeitler and Max Plath were among those who joined FCI in 2024. The returnees on loan Ponath and Donald Nduka, as well as Kügel, need time to gel with the established Ingolstadt players.
With these new signings, FC Ingolstadt is hoping to secure a spot in the 2. Bundesliga next season, following their third consecutive missed promotion. The club is confident that the additional funds from a new main sponsor and the financial resources from player sales and contract terminations will help them achieve their goal.
FC Ingolstadt's pursuit of European-leagues ambitions continues, as they bolster their squad with the addition of Sebastian Grønning. With one or two more signings, they aim to address the left-back position and increase their offensive strength. In particular, a goalkeeper like Kai Eisele and an inside defender such as Jonas Scholz could be valuable additions to the team.
