News blog about 1. FC Cologne
Will a national player return to the Bundesliga?
Updated 01/14/2026 – 11:04 amReading time: 15 minutes
1. FC Köln is playing first class again this season. In the news blog on t-online you will find all the important news about the Geißbockheim.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The personnel shortage in Cologne’s defense is getting worse. With Timo Hübers, Joel Schmied and Dominique Heintz, three central defenders are currently out due to injuries. According to information from well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, FC has targeted Stefan Posch as a solution. The 28-year-old Austrian is currently on loan from FC Bologna to Como, but is hardly getting a chance there: in 20 appearances, the 49-time national player was only in the starting line-up once. According to Romano, initial discussions have already taken place.
Posch would be a suitable reinforcement for Cologne. The right-footed player knows the Bundesliga from 109 games for TSG Hoffenheim and brings international experience with him. His contract in Bologna runs until 2027 and the market value is estimated at 5.5 million euros. However, FC has competition: Mainz 05 is also said to be interested, according to the “Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The 1. FC Cologne relies on Cenk Özkacar in the home game against FC Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The central defender had already been practically sorted out and was recently not allowed to be in the starting line-up despite major injury concerns on the defensive end. Now the Turk should strengthen the FC defense against the record champions.
“Cenk will start,” Lukas Kwasniok said on Tuesday. “He played less, but when he was needed, with the exception of his mistake in Gladbach, he delivered.” FC will have to do without six central defenders against Bayern. Özkacar will probably form the back three alongside Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Sebastian Sebulonsen.