In a rather sudden move, Bayern Munich have snapped up both young attacking midfielder Maurice Krattenmacher, 18, and center forward Gibson Nana Adu, 16, from 3. Liga side SpVgg Unterhaching, who Bayern have been rumored to be working with for some sort of partnership. It is unknown whether these signings have anything with some sort of partnership, not did the Bavarian giants reveal the transfer fees spent on the players in their official announcement of these signings.
Regardless, these are two very interesting and exciting signings. Maurice Krattenmacher actually joined Bayern at U-9 level before moving on in a couple of years to Unterhaching, who he has since made 51 competitive appearances for while also becoming a regular in Germany’s U-17, U-18 and U-19 youth set ups. He has been immediately loaned out to 3. Liga champions and subsequent 2024/25 2. Liga newcomers SSV Ulm. If he can thrive with that move, his development could really be one to watch.
Meanwhile, Adu started playing at SC Lerchenberg before moving to Unterhaching in the 2022/23 season. He became both the youngest player in the 3. Liga at 15 and youngster goalscorer last season at the club in around 100 minutes of game time. Even at 16, Bayern decided the Regionalliga with Bayern II would not be enough of challenge and Adu has been loaned back to Unterhaching to continue his development. Playing in the 3. Liga at 16 is certainly a big achievement and one that merits a close eye on his development.
FC Bayern’s director of youth development Jochen Sauer had this to say via Bayern’s official website: “Maurice Krattenmacher and Gibson Nana Adu are two players with great prospects. Maurice is from Munich, was with us in his younger years and has gained experience in the 3. Liga at Unterhaching. He’s got good technique, is versatile in attack, and not just capable of scoring himself but always has an eye for teammates. Gibson is both the youngest player and goalscorer in the history of the 3. Liga. Both are representative of Unterhaching’s good youth development. We back both players to make it professionally.”