Only 19 professionals with more games
Ex-national player Jonas Hector is facing a historic mark: With an appearance on Saturday in Fürth, the 31-year-old joins 1. FC Köln in the exclusive “Club of the 300s” – only 19 professionals in the history of the club have managed that before him .
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In the coming summer, the left-back has been part of Cologne’s professional squad for ten years and is one of the most loyal players in the Bundesliga. Hector knows that his performance data is not commonplace beyond FC: “It is probably rare nowadays for a player to play 300 games for a club. If you compare the teams in the Bundesliga, there aren’t that many players who have achieved that,” explained Cologne’s all-time favorite on the club’s website.
A look at the TM statistics shows: Of the active, most loyal Bundesliga professionals, only twelve players have played more than 300 games for their club – including Timo Horn (328), another Cologne player.
Hector is facing 300 missions: The record players of 1. FC Köln
In the current season, Hector is an integral part of the Cologne team’s starting line-up: the veteran made 20 of his 21 appearances over the full distance, while Steffen Baumgart was only absent twice. There is no question that the coach will also be counting on him for the game association on Saturday: “Jonas is the most important player in this club, and I mean that the same way,” said the 50-year-old during the week.
Even Cologne’s top scorer Anthony Modeste couldn’t keep up: “We like to talk about Tony, his performance and his goals – but Jonas is the quality player who leads the way. He always stands up, even in difficult situations, and gives the team a lot of security,” said Baumgart, appreciating his defender to the “express“.
Baumgart on Hector’s future at FC: “He can also play 400 games”
It remains to be seen whether Hector, who was born in Saarland, will continue to lace up his shoes for FC beyond the end of his current contract. According to reports, internally it is expected that the then 33-year-old will end his career in the summer of 2023. “Jonas has a clear plan for himself. He wants to at least think about retiring in a year and a half,” says Baumgart. However, the coach has not given up hope of staying longer: “I wish that a player like that would stay in the Bundesliga for a longer time. He can also do 400 games.”
Hector in top 20: The most loyal players in the Bundesliga
In view of his history, it seems impossible that Hector will appear again for another club in the Bundesliga. When asked if and how he would celebrate his 300th game at the weekend, the 43-time international was sober as usual: “We’ll see how the game ends and how the situation is otherwise. I’ll probably have a beer at home, but even that depends on the result.”
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