Bayern II rightback Benno Schmitz signs pre-contract with Red Bull Salzburg

Bayern Munich II rightback Benno Schmitz has signed a pre-contract to join Red Bull Salzburg on a free transfer next summer. The 19-year-old rightback has made 23 appearances in the Regionalliga Bayern and has been a stalwart for the Bayern Munich II side as they seek promotion to the 3.Liga. He was a standout for them earning him his first international appearances for the German U20 national team last summer at the U20 World Cup .

The Bayern youth product has been steadily moving up the ranks having joined the reserve side last summer after graduating out of the academy system following sporadic appearances for the reserve side in the 2012/2013 season. Given that Benno Schmitz is blocked by Bayern Munich captain Phillip Lahm and Rafinha (who remember recently signed an extension keeping him at the Allianz Arena through the end of 2017), it's always been a good bet that the youth product would move on from the Bayern Munich system. Furthermore, there are additional candidates in the Bayern Munich youth system who can play rightback including Vladimir Rankovic and Mitchell Weiser who dimmed Schmitz's prospects for featuring for Bayern Munich.

In contrast to the situation with Bayern Munich, Red Bull Salzburg just re-signed their starting RB Christian Schwegler to an extension while backup right back Florian Klein is out of contract summer giving Schmitz the possibility of first team action at the tender age of 19. While signing with the leaders of the Austrian Bundesliga may not come with the glamour associated with Bayern Munich, it's certainly a good career move for the young German. Here's wishing all the luck to the 19-year-old (except when Salzburg plays Bayern).