The beginning of the 2015/16 Regionalliga Bayern season is less than a month away, and earlier this week Bayern Munich announced three outsiders who will be joining the reserve team: Korbinian Burger, Karl-Heinz Lappe, and Leo Weinkauf.
Lukas Scholl and Philipp Walter, two players who got extended looks in Bayern's preseason a year ago, are also due to be part of the kleine Bayern next season. They will be part of a team first-year coach Heiko Vogel will attempt to promote to the 3. Liga, which now only has two reserve teams in the division.
Lappe is the most prominent of the names, for not only did he play for 2. Bundesliga champion FC Ingolstadt in 2014/15, but he is also a Bayern academy alumnus – the 28-year-old participated in Bayern's youth teams from 1996 to 2001. Lukas Görtler, Alexander Sieghart, and Tobias Schweinsteiger have all moved on, making Lappe one of the prominent figures in Bayern II's attack.
"I am a player looking for challenges and a move back to Munich was always in my sights," said Lappe, who scored a goal in 14 appearances for Ingolstadt last season. "I know very well how to work with younger players and it is a lot of fun. I want to carry out my contributions so we are promoted to the 3. Liga."
Burger meanwhile is yet another player Bayern II is poaching from city rivals TSV 1860 München II. The 20-year-old center back is expected to join academy players Yannick Günzel and Philipp Walter as part of a new-look Bayern II defense. Burger played 17 matches for 1860 München II last season, but a hand injury hampered him from consistent selection in the second half of the season.
"It didn't go as well for me as it did in the Hinrunde after the injury. Vogel showed his interest in me, which I was honored by. We have a very good coach and optimal conditions," said Burger. "I want to take the next, establish myself as a key player and play a good season with the team."
The final piece, Leo Weinkauf, is an 18-year-old goalkeeper coming over from SV Werder Bremen's U19 team. It is Bremen who currently posses former Bayern prospect Raif Husic a season ago for €100,000, and they also acquired Michael Zetterer for the same amount in the January transfer window. Weinkauf made just two starts for the U19s last season, keeping one clean sheet in the U19 Bundesliga and allowing three goals in the DFB-Junioren-Pokal.
"Leo did his business very well at the time, and fits optimally in our concept, both from his goalkeeping and his demeanor," Vogel said.
Bayern II played against Bayernliga side TSV Bogen 0-0 in their first friendly. The Regionalliga Bayern fixture list has yet to be released, but the season is due to start on July 17.