Onyeka wins U19 Fritz Walter gold medal

Bayer Leverkusen's Francis Onyeka has been crowned Germany's brightest young talent with the U19 Fritz Walter gold medal.

Francis-Ikechukwu Onyeka

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What happened. The DFB awarded Bayer Leverkusen's Francis Onyeka the 2026 Fritz Walter Gold medal in the U19 category. He beat Hertha Berlin's Boris Mamuzah Lum and Werder Bremen's Mick Schmetgens to the prize.

• Onyeka spent 2025/26 on loan at Bundesliga 2 side Bochum.
• He is currently on loan at Elversberg, playing in Germany's top flight for the first time.
• Leverkusen's Kennet Eichhorn took gold in the 2009 age group.

“The gold medals for Kennet and Francis are fantastic personal accolades.”

— Simon Rolfes

The award marks Onyeka as one of Germany's top young prospects as he steps up with Elversberg.

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Francis-Ikechukwu OnyekaBayer Leverkusen

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