© FC Bayern
Jonas Urbig’s first few days with his new club were mostly spent training individually. Given Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava, there weren’t many sessions with the whole squad together and the new goalkeeper wasn’t eligible in Europe. But now Urbig’s Munich journey can start in earnest.
The 21-year-old was officially unveiled as a Bayern player at a press conference with board member for sport Max Eberl on Friday. “I’m excited to be here and for everything that’s to come. The first training sessions were good, very intense and at a high level,” the arrival from Köln said.
“We’re really delighted Jonas is at Bayern. He has a lot of potential, is a modern ball-playing goalkeeper who we believe in,” added Eberl. The board member explained that he already knew about Urbig during his time in the academy at Köln but rediscovered the goalkeeper in a Bundesliga 2 game between his loan club Greuther Fürth and Holstein Kiel in 2023/24. “His presence impressed me. That was reflected in our talks. He knows what he wants,” Eberl said.
With Urbig losing his spot at boyhood club Köln to Marvin Schwäbe this season, there were then thoughts of bringing in the 21-year-old this winter. “We’d planned it for the summer but then considered whether it would make sense now to give him the chance with that extra half a year at Bayern to get to know the place. We spoke with Jonas and could then do the deal with Köln and are extremely pleased,” Eberl explained of the transfer process.
Jonas Urbig has been working hard in training at Säbener Straße. | © FC Bayern
For Urbig, it’s first about getting to know his new club and settling into his new surroundings. “It’s a big step but I’ve felt at home since day one. There are great characters in the team who’ve made it easy for me,” the goalkeeper said. “I first want to settle in. We want to push each other to develop in our really good goalkeeping group. I’m really looking forward to it all.”
Jonas Urbig is also known for his ability to get involved in the build-up. | © FC Bayern
The Germany U21 goalkeeper also wants to benefit from his new teammates as he looks to develop further and unlock his potential at Bayern. “Obviously Manuel Neuer inspired me, also Iker Casillas. They were my idols,” the Euskirchen native stated. “I’m excited to be training now with Manuel and the goalkeeper group in general. I can learn from everyone here. I’m convinced by this step I’ve taken. It’s about working on myself every day and integrating into the group so we can develop as a team. I want to play my part there.”
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