Ones to watch: Five Bundesliga 2 talents to look out for in the 2026/27 season
From Kennet Eichhorn to Ibrahim Maza, Bundesliga 2 presents an excellent platform for young stars to shine, but who are the next bunch looking to seize their chance in 2026/27? We take a closer look...
Javier Fernández
Age: 19 (born 28 November 2006)
Club: Nuremberg (on loan from Bayern Munich)
Position: Central midfielder
Country: Spain (18 youth caps)
Former Atlético Madrid academy prospect Fernández was named in Bayern Munich’s senior matchday squad for the first time against Heidenheim last December, but found further first-team opportunities hard to come by.
After committing his long-term future to Bayern in January, the Spain youth international was sent on loan to Nuremberg, who jumped at the chance to extend his contract until the end of the 2026/27 season following a string of influential displays in Der Club’s five-game unbeaten run at the tail-end of the campaign.
“Javier has shown just how much potential he has,” said Nuremberg’s delighted head of sport Joti Chatzialexiou earlier in June.
Nicolas Verkooijen
Age: 19 (born 5 December 2006)
Club: Darmstadt
Postion: Attacking midfield
Country: Belgium (one U21 cap)
An unused substitute in PSV Eindhoven’s UEFA Champions League games against Newcastle United and Bayern, Verkooijen made five cameo appearances for the Dutch giants’ senior side last season.
Having also netted eight goals in 28 league games for PSV U21s in 2025/26, the versatile youngster could prove to be vital cog in a Darmstadt side looking to mount another promotion push next term.
Lilies sporting director Paul Fernie said of the Turnhout native: “He’s very energetic, plays with great intensity and is someone who always wants the ball. He also has excellent passing and good decision-making skills.”
Thierry Fidjeu-Tazemeta
Age: 18 (born 27 July 2007)
Club: Kaiserslautern
Position: Right winger
Country: Austria (30 youth caps)
Klagenfurt-born Fidjeu-Tazemeta missed the first few games of Borussia Dortmund’s 2025/26 U19 league season through injury but soon hit his stride, going on to register nine goals and five assists in 14 appearances.
Back-to-back UEFA Youth League campaigns with BVB should also stand the 6'3" Austria youth international in good stead for the move to Kaiserslautern, who were thrilled to snap up the teenager on a free transfer.
“In Thierry, we’ve secured the services of a top international youngster,” Red Devils sporting director Marcel Klos said of the youngster, whose father was an Equatorial Guinea international. “He’s a strong technical player whose physicality and speed set him apart.”
Alessio Besio
Age: 22 (born 18 March 2004)
Club: Wolfsburg
Position: Striker
Country: Switzerland (one U21 cap)
The nimble attacker joins Wolfsburg from Freiburg after impressing on loan at 3. Liga side Verl in 2025/26.
“Alessio has tremendous potential,” explained VfL sporting director Pirmin Schwegler. “He has an excellent range of qualities, which he showcased impressively during his time at Verl, and he will give us even more options in attack.”
Having netted 18 goals and created a further 12 in 36 appearances across all competitions last season, Besio will look to add to his tally in 2026/27 as the Wolves aim to secure their Bundesliga return at the first time of asking.
Ismail Badjie
Age: 20 (born 17 October 2005)
Club: Osnabrück
Position: Attacking midfield
Country: Germany/The Gambia
A product of Osnabrück’s youth academy, Badjie - a versatile young attacker who can also play on both flanks - already has two years of professional football under his belt, having made his 3. Liga debut in August 2024.
With 46 appearances across all competitions since his first outing for the Purple-Whites, Gambia-born Badjie’s nine strikes in 33 games from midfield in 2025/26 helped the Lower Saxony club secure a Bundesliga 2 return after a two-year absence.
