FC Schalke 04: Mark Uth joins Köln on loan, Fabian Reese to Kiel

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 20: Mark Uth of FC Schalke 04 sits on the bench during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Schalke 04 at PreZero-Arena on October 20, 2019 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 20: Mark Uth of FC Schalke 04 sits on the bench during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Schalke 04 at PreZero-Arena on October 20, 2019 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)

Shortly after Steven Skrzybski joined Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan, FC Schalke 04 have officially announced that Mark Uth will also be headed to FC Köln on a six-month loan.

It seems like FC Schalke 04 may be planning a big move at the forward position for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season. The club have offloaded three struggling forwards to begin the January winter transfer market in 2020.

Steven Skrzybski will look to get his career back on track with relegation candidates Fortuna Dusseldorf, who are still trying to replace both Dodi Lukebakio and current Schalke star Benito Raman after selling both players in the summer. His six-month loan includes a 1.5 million euro option to buy.

And now, Schalke have officially announced what fans fully expected to happen, especially after the player was given a clean bill of health.

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Per Die Knappen’s official site, forward Mark Uth has been loaned to FC Köln for the remainder of the season, as he’ll look to keep the club in his home city afloat in the Bundesliga.

Uth is a talented player who was once one of the more prolific Bundesliga goal-scorers at Hoffenheim. He joined Schalke for the 2018-2019 season but was among the many attacking players who struggled under Domenico Tedesco last season.

Due to adductor issues, Uth has found it difficult to play to his potential in 2019-2020, but a loan deal with Köln could be exactly what the German needs to get back on track. The quality is there.

Unlike Skrzybski, there is no option to buy in Uth’s deal with Köln, suggesting the Royal Blues still value him highly.

And rightfully so.

If he can bounce back with Köln now that he’s healthy, he could play a role for his parent club in 2020-2021. It’s worth noting that his contract with Die Knappen ends after the 2020-2021 season.

On top of the Skrzybski and Uth loans, the Royal Blues have also announced the departure of young forward Fabian Reese to Holstein Kiel. It seemed like he never settled with Schalke and had no path to playing time, especially with two superior prospects in Rabbi Matondo and Ahmed Kutucu shining.

Reese has reportedly signed a new contract with Kiel through 2023, so here’s to hoping for the best for the 22-year-old. This transfer will take into effect immediately, so Reese can start getting his feet wet for Kiel in the 2. Bundesliga this season.