Davie Selke wore the Hertha jersey for five and a half years Photo: City Press
From BZ/dpa
So now it’s official! After five and a half years, striker Davie Selke is leaving Hertha BSC and moving to league rivals 1. FC Köln.
The 27-year-old signed a contract with the Rhinelanders until June 30, 2024. Both clubs agreed on the transfer, as Hertha and Cologne announced on Monday.
“We have always been open with Davie about his situation and his contract with us, which ends in the summer. He now has the opportunity to make a move within the Bundesliga ahead of time, and we have complied with this request,” said Hertha’s sporting director Fredi Bobic, who can thus further relieve the budget.
Here Davie Selke scored his only Bundesliga goal this season. The striker scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-3 against Bayern Munich Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Selke was one of the top earners in Berlin and is the fourth departure after Vladimir Darida, Linus Gechter and Dong-Jun Lee.
Born in Schorndorf, he appeared in 126 competitive games for Hertha, scoring 26 goals. Selke moved to the capital from Leipzig in 2017, but was loaned out to his home club Werder Bremen two years ago. Even under Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz, the striker did not have a regular place.
“Davie fits very well with our game idea and the striker profile we are looking for. As a classic nine, he has his qualities in the box and still works immensely diligently against the ball,” said Cologne managing director Christian Keller, “with his physical presence, his strong header game and his good finish, he will help our team if we use him accordingly insert. We are also convinced that he can give our team important impetus both on and off the pitch with his mature personality.”