News blog about 1. FC Cologne
FC professional before farewell: Transfer on Wednesday perfect
Updated June 9, 2026 – 7:30 p.mReading time: 41 minutes
1. FC Köln managed to stay in the Bundesliga. In the news blog on t-online you will find all the important news about the Geißbockheim.
FC professional before farewell: Transfer on Wednesday perfect
Denis Huseinbasic stopped by the Geißbockheim again on Tuesday evening to see 1. FC Cologne to say goodbye. The midfielder is moving to Sporting Braga. The transfer should be reported perfectly on Wednesday.
The transfer to the Portuguese first division club is almost perfect. On Monday, Huseinbasic completed the medical check. Almost all contracts have been signed, only the final details still need to be clarified between the clubs. The deal can then be announced on Wednesday.
U21 transfer with professional prospects: 1. FC Köln brings Okpodu
1. FC Köln has signed the next top talent, which will be developed for the professionals via the U21s. After Lionel Voufack from RB Leipzig, David Okpodu from 1. FC Nürnberg comes to Geißbockheim. The club confirmed this on Monday.
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge at 1. FC Köln. After my time in Nuremberg, this step feels just right to establish myself in men’s football,” said the attacking right winger, who scored four goals in 17 games for Nuremberg’s U19 and U23 teams last season.
“David stands out because of his very interesting profile for a winger,” said Lukas Berg, technical director of the Billy Goats. “With his physical requirements, he has everything he needs for successful development in the senior sector. We are very much looking forward to the developmental steps that David will take at 1. FC Köln.”
DFB Cup: FC has to go to Würzburg
1. FC Köln will play against Würzburger Kickers in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Cup. This was the result of the draw on Saturday evening in Dortmund. FC came out of the draw as the very last of the 64 teams.
The Würzburgers were only promoted to the 3rd league via relegation as second in the Bavarian Regional League. It will be the very first duel between the two teams – FC and the Kickers have never met in a competitive game.
Ouédraogo instead of El Mala
Said El Mala has to be patient. Julian Nagelsmann did not nominate the 19-year-old from 1. FC Köln for the 2026 World Cup. As a result of Lennart Karl’s injury, El Mala had hopes of replacing FC Bayern’s talent at the World Cup and taking his place in the squad.
However, on the night of Friday to Saturday it became known that Nagelsmann had re-nominated Assan Ouédraogo from RB Leipzig. The variable midfielder cannot be used as offensively as Karl and El Mala, but he should help Germany with his dynamism and positional variability.