News blog about 1. FC Cologne
Transfer perfect: FC striker on loan to Austria
Updated on January 5, 2025 – 1:10 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
1. FC Köln is the football club from the cathedral city. In the news ticker on t-online you will find all the important reports about the “billy goats”.
1. FC Köln announced the transfer of Florian Dietz to SCR Altach on Sunday. The billy goats are initially letting the striker on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season. The first division club, which is threatened with relegation, has reportedly secured a purchase option and could therefore sign Dietz permanently beyond the summer. Dietz still has a contract in Cologne until 2026.
Meanwhile, the billy goats are still waiting for a diagnosis from Mark Uth. The striker injured his calf on the first day of training and was supposed to have an MRI scan that evening. However, for organizational reasons, the doctor’s appointment could not take place, so Uth is currently just stopping training. However, a further investigation should take place soon.
FC suffered a setback on the first day of training camp. Mark Uth stopped the first training session in Estepona after just a few minutes. The veteran complained of muscular problems. “He felt pressure in his calf while running, also in the direction of the stitch,” reported Gerhard Struber after the session on Saturday morning and expressed concern: “That didn’t sound good.” In the afternoon, an MRI scan will provide information about the possible injury.
The FC is planning the winter transfers, but considerations for the summer of 2025 are also underway at the same time. According to a report by GEISSBLOG, Cologne wants to sign the Japanese midfield talent Yotaro Nakajima from Sanfrecce Hiroshima (more about it here). The 18-year-old is considered the reigning J-League runner-up’s best hope for young talent.
The Billy Goats and Sanfrecce have had a partnership since 2021. The two clubs exchange ideas, particularly at youth level. The transfer of the U20 international would be the first player change between the two clubs. According to the report, Nakajima was already in Cologne. His contract runs until 2027.
Gerhard Struber was without three players for the training camp in Estepona on Friday. FC traveled to Spain without Damion Downs, Florian Dietz and Elias Bakatukanda. Downs is ill, but the striker is expected to travel there depending on his recovery. Dietz and Bakatukanda, on the other hand, are to be transferred to other clubs in January and are released for the relevant negotiations.
Instead, Jusuf Gazibegovic, the first winter newcomer, traveled to Spain. Struber also nominated several young players from the U21 for the training camp: Alessandro Blazic can show off in goal. In defense, Neo Telle was selected for central defense and Meiko Sponsel for the right side. Emin Kujovic can prove himself in midfield, Oliver Issa Schmitt in the attack.
Before the training camp comes the first announcement of the year: As expected, FC is awarding Sargis Adamyan to Jahn Regensburg. The SSV signs its ex-player for six months. Adamyan once got off to a good start in Regensburg and moved to TSG Hoffenheim before moving on to FC. But Adamyan never really caught on with the billy goats. Now the loan, which initially runs until summer 2025. The striker no longer has a future at FC, but still has a valid contract until 2026.
1. FC Köln left for their training camp in Estepona/Spain on Friday afternoon. From January 3rd to 10th, coach Gerhard Struber’s team will be getting ready for the second half of the 2nd Bundesliga. Three test matches are planned, the opponents have not yet been finalized.
FC’s second half of the season begins a week after returning from Spain. On Saturday evening (January 18th) the billy goats’ top game will take place at Hamburger SV. As league leaders, FC is currently three points ahead of the third-place team from the Hanseatic city.