17 departures and 13 new players
30 transfers: This is how the upheaval at 1. FC Köln
03.09.2025 – 5:08 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Behind 1. FC Köln is an alternating period with a huge change. An commenting analysis for the transfer summer of the billy goats.
108 days ago, 1st FC Köln returned to the Bundesliga – the euphoria in Müngersdorf was huge. For the sports director Thomas Kessler, which had recently been used, there was a mammoth task: he had to rebuild the squad in such a way that it could exist in the upper house. Because the achievements in the 2nd league had hardly revealed first-division suitability.
So Kessler picked up. Eight players left the club almost immediately. At Damion Downs and Max Finkgräfe, the sports director took the chance to take replacement after a contract extension was not possible. Other professionals landed gradually on the siding – either in the U21 or in separate training groups. With the farewell to Imad Rondic on Tuesday evening (loan to Rakow Czestochowa), the 17th departure of the summer was finally determined.
Kessler made it unequivocally made it clear where they were. Even experienced professionals were not spared. Learst Pacarada received the clear message that it was no longer enough and disappointed consequences. Dominique Heintz received a similar signal, but remains the association as a reliable supplementary player.
These measures were taken after Kessler had already passed his first big strength: Friedhelm Funkel wanted to remain a trainer, put FC under public pressure – and thus also the inexperienced sports director. But Kessler resisted and got his desired coach Lukas Kwasniok. At the same time, he reorganized the entire team of coaches.
The radical new building began together with Kwasniok and the new technical director Lukas Berg. Anyone who sorted out 17 professionals has to replenish: eleven newcomers came in summer, with the EL Mala brothers even 13. Kessler invested almost 25 million euros for this-after the hard renovation years, a clear turnaround in which the income from the downs and fincae transfers helped significantly.
The most spectacular deal was Rav van den Berg, the third -party purchase in club history. Four other players were obliged to minimize the financial risk. Common denominator of all new ones: You should immediately bring Bundesliga quality.
The only perspective players in the squad are the EL Mala brothers Said and Malek. Otherwise, FC rely on professionals with experience-such as Bülter, Krauss, Kaminski and Zieler, who not only bring Bundesliga experience, but also the physical and playful prerequisites for a role as immediate help.
The three opening wins do not guarantee a breakthrough, but have given the team confidence. Kessler’s last task was to tighten the squad. With the transfers from Pacarada, Christensen and Rondic, this largely succeeded. Only Sargis Adamyan remained without a new club – he now continues to order in the U21.
New coach, half a squad – the FC experienced a fresh cell cure in the summer of 2025. Kessler clearly redefined the club. The season will only show whether this will grow from this. But one thing is clear: after years full of wrong decisions and sporting setbacks, those responsible want to be understood as a new beginning this summer. But they put everything on the table.