[CLSTR]
< Back to all clusters
[SPORTS] · Germany · 2 sources

started · updated

Part of situation: FC Ingolstadt youth development moves (2 clusters)

FC Ingolstadt 04 signs two academy players to first professional contracts

FC Ingolstadt 04 first professional contracts Noel Lakatos Rafael Eßlinger youth academy

FC Ingolstadt 04 announced that 18‑year‑old defender Noel Lakatos has signed his first professional contract with the club. Lakatos, who progressed through the club’s youth system after joining from DFI Bad Aibling in 2022, will be added to the senior squad while primarily featuring for the U21 team. He has already earned seven caps for the Hungary U19 national team.

The club also confirmed that 20‑year‑old goalkeeper Rafael Eßlinger has signed his first professional deal. Eßlinger, originally from Waldkirch, moved to FC Ingolstadt 04’s U21 side in summer 2024 after a stint with SSV Ulm 1846’s U19 team and previous youth spells at FC Waldkirch and SC Freiburg. He will likewise join the senior squad and continue to develop in the U21 league. Both players were praised by Rigo Hof, the club’s coordinator of squad planning and scouting, who highlighted their potential and hard‑working attitudes.

Entities

FC Ingolstadt 04 · Hungary U19 national team · Noel Lakatos · Rafael Eßlinger · Rigo Hof

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Noel Lakatos signed his first professional contract with FC Ingolstadt 04. www.fcingolstadt.de
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Rigo Hof, coordinator of squad planning and scouting, praised both Lakatos and Eßlinger for their potential. www.fcingolstadt.de · in-direkt.de
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Eßlinger transferred to FC Ingolstadt 04 U21 from SSV Ulm 1846 U19 in summer 2024. in-direkt.de
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Eßlinger is a 20‑year‑old goalkeeper who will join the senior squad while continuing to play for the U21 team. in-direkt.de
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Lakatos has made seven appearances for the Hungary U19 national team. www.fcingolstadt.de
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Lakatos is an 18‑year‑old defender who will join the senior squad while continuing to play for the U21 team. www.fcingolstadt.de
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Rafael Eßlinger signed his first professional contract with FC Ingolstadt 04. in-direkt.de

Sources

Nächster Schritt: Noel Lakatos erhält Profivertrag - FC Ingolstadt 04 [www.fcingolstadt.de]
16 days ago
Rafael Eßlinger unterschreibt ersten Profivertrag beim FC Ingolstadt 04 - IN-direkt - Nachrichten für Ingolstadt und Region [in-direkt.de]
16 days ago