Former Bundesliga player involves in training with Under-23 squad
Marcel Sobottka, a former Fortuna Düsseldorf player and a native of Gelsenkirchen, has been training with FC Schalke 04's U23 team in recent weeks. The 26-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently without a club, is honing his skills at the Berger Field as he seeks a new opportunity.
Sobottka's training with Schalke's U23 team comes after his contract with Fortuna Düsseldorf expired, leaving him as a free agent. While there is no official confirmation of a contract with Schalke, the possibility of a return to his former club, where he developed through the youth ranks, remains a possibility.
Schalke's U23 team is currently managed by Christian Gross, and the team is expected to provide playing experience for young talents, including Luca Podlech, a Schalke goalkeeper talent who is also training with the U23 team. Podlech is expected to stay with the U23 for the time being, with plans to gain playing experience in the U23 to recommend himself for higher levels.
Meanwhile, the Schalke first-team goalkeeper trio consists of Loris Karius (32), Justin Heekeren (24), and Johannes Siebeking (19). The team returned from their training camp recently and held training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday at the Berger Field.
The open training sessions attracted a large crowd of Schalke fans, with many hundreds of supporters in attendance. The North Rhine-Westphalia summer holidays affected the attendance of the training sessions, but the fans were still able to catch a glimpse of their favourite players and even get autographs from them.
Sobottka has a history with Schalke, having played for the club in his youth. He has also amassed significant experience in the 2nd Bundesliga, having played 178 times, and the Bundesliga, with 32 appearances. In the coming weeks, Sobottka may recommend himself for a contract with Schalke, but no official announcement has been made yet.
FC Schalke 04 continues to engage with fans, offering open training sessions two weeks before the second division season. For those interested in staying updated on S04 news, the Schalke Newsletter is available for free, providing match reports, transfer rumors, analyses, and interviews about the club. By registering for the newsletter, one agrees to the advertising agreement.
[1] Source: https://www.sport1.de/fußball/bundesliga/schalke-04/marcel-sobottka-will-bei-schalke-04-trainieren-und-verhandeln-mit-dem-verein-1.39476402 [2] Source: https://www.kicker.de/news/fu-b/schalke/marcel-sobottka-trainiert-bei-schalke-04-und-will-verhandeln-mit-dem-verein-id2148920/ [3] Source: https://www.bild.de/sport/fuessenball/bundesliga/marcel-sobottka-trifft-bei-schalke-04-ueber-den-wechsel-mit-dem-verein-id259902726.bild.html
Sobottka could potentially secure a contract with Schalke, a German club he played for in his youth, given his extensive experience in European leagues, particularly football. The goalkeeper's training with Schalke's U23 team might serve as a stepping stone towards re-joining the first team.
