According to Bild, Kevin Kratzsch, a 24-year-old German first-choice goalkeeper from Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, is transferring to Energie Cottbus, a club newly promoted to the 2. Liga. The club's search for an additional goalkeeper in the Regionalliga West led to Kratzsch after the club had previously tested former HSV goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck for several weeks. Head coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz explained that the club has complete faith in their goalkeeping coach, Alexander Sebald, and that Sebald, having looked at many candidates, was firmly convinced that they had found the right keeper. Wollitz also noted the importance of settling this personnel matter several weeks before the season begins. Kratzsch has previously represented Germany at the U15 level and has a current Transfermarkt market value of €150k.