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1. FC Köln has officially signed experienced center-back Luka Lochoshvili from 1. FC Nürnberg, as both clubs confirmed on Thursday evening. The 28-year-old Georgian international has signed a three-year contract running until 2029.
Reports from Georgian journalist “Geo_Team” and “Bild” recently indicated that the transfer fee for Lochoshvili could exceed 5 million euros. This would place him on the same financial level as Jakub Kaminski and Ísak Jóhannesson. However, media outlets like “Geissblog” suggest the figure may be slightly lower, with “Express” reporting it at around 4 million euros.
Lochoshvili’s Rising Value
Lochoshvili’s market value has shown a steep upward trend since his transfer from US Cremonese in Italy, which was completed for 1 million euros in the summer of 2025. Over three subsequent assessments, his valuation climbed to 2.5 million euros. During his time at Nürnberg, he made 34 appearances, netting five goals and providing two assists. His performance has earned him a reputation as one of the best center-backs in the 2. Bundesliga.
Köln Manager Thomas Kessler Remarks on the Signing
“We are very pleased to have convinced Luka to join us on our journey at 1. FC Köln,” said FC managing director Thomas Kessler in an official statement. “He has gained valuable experiences across various clubs in recent years and brings exactly the profile we were looking for in this position. With his personality, duel strength, and physical presence—especially in the air—he will add additional stability to our defense. As a left-footer, he completes our center-back lineup and enhances the overall quality of our squad.”
In his own words, Lochoshvili expressed his excitement: “As a footballer, you always aim to play at the highest level possible. Therefore, I am very happy to take my next step at 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga. The discussions with the management were very positive and convinced me of the club’s vision. I look forward to joining a historic club with fantastic fans and a new team.”
Nürnberg Reaction to the Transfer
Nürnberg’s sporting director, Joti Chatzialexiou, remarked, “With Luka and Fabio (Gruber, who transferred to Mainz), we had the best center-back duo in the league last season. It is only logical that Luka continues his journey in the Bundesliga. He has enriched our locker room both on and off the field. Yet, it’s always about making sound economic decisions for us as a club.”
Fan Perspectives on Lochoshvili
Transfermarkt user and FCN fan “thesaint610” provided insights on Lochoshvili’s playing style: “Luka is a seasoned center-back who enjoys pushing forward with much passion. He is good with the ball and possesses decent speed. However, he has made mistakes during games, particularly in aerial situations where he hasn’t always been reliable. Given his style of play, he requires a defensively strong partner next to him, which was the case with Gruber.”
At Köln, he will meet various other defenders, including the newly signed Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, 8-million-euro acquisition Rav van den Berg, Joël Schmied, and Julian Pauli, who returns from loans, among others. The club’s future transfer strategy remains open, with potential departures still under consideration.
This article was initially published on 02.07.2026 at 10:33 AM and was updated following the transfer confirmation.
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