Bayern Munich’s €1 million signing of Noël Aséko Nkili from Hertha Berlin in 2022 was seen as an absolute coup, as the 16-year-old midfield destroyer was seen on par with the likes of Tom Bischof as one of the greatest German talents. Injuries have severely slowed his progress, but not stopped it, which was why he was granted a 2 year extension in the summer of 2024. The club believed in his potential, but were wary of the injuries. However, Nkili’s impressive improvement first half of the season made it clear he needed to take the next step beyond Bayern II and the Regionalliga.
Enter Hannover 96, who swooped him up on deadline day on loan. Bayern’s official website confirmed Nkili was granted another contract renewal, this time until 2028, and was loaned out for the next 18 months. Hannover’s official website confirmed there was an option to buy, as well. Funnily enough, they added that the paperwork for the loan was only filed 5 minutes before the deadline. Talk about cutting it close. But only BILD reported the nature of the aforementioned option to buy, via @iMiaSanMia:
Hannover secured an option to buy worth €1.5m. Bayern secured a buy-back clause.
One can only speculate what the amount needed to trigger the buy-back clause could be. Nkili claims the shirt number 15 and joins fellow Bayern loanee Hyunju Lee at Hannover in the fight to get promoted and will hope to show the positive performances a Bright Arrey-Mbi once did, who also trod the path from Bayern to Hannover. The former Chelsea FC youngster was rewarded with a big move to Sporting Braga, but Nkili may well be able to aim for even higher than that and make his way into Bayern’s squad.
