World champion with Germany 2014
The target leaves Hanover – and changes to the Bundesliga
07.07.2025 – 9:20 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
At Hannover 96 Ron-Robert Zieler was considered an institution. Now the captain leaves the second division club – and joins his youth club.
Ron-Robert Zieler will again bear the jersey of 1. FC Köln in the future. The Bundesliga promoter confirmed the 36-year-old’s commitment on Monday evening. The Zieler leaves Hannover 96 and signs a contract in the cathedral city until 2027. There he is planned as the second goalkeeper behind Marvin Schwäbe.
It is a return to his youth club for the destination. He also played on a loan in Cologne in the 2020/2021 season. Now he moves firmly to the Rhine – despite a contract that is actually running until 2026 at Hanover. According to “Bild”, the transfer for the goalkeeper is around 200,000 euros.
Thomas Kessler, Cologne’s sports director, said: “I am very pleased that we were able to win Ron for FC.” The conversations with goals were open and positive. Kessler described him as an “absolute wish player” and emphasized that his experience would make an important contribution to a successful season with his experience.
In a message from Hanover, the target also expressed himself. In view of the upheaval in the club, he had a lot of thoughts and had discussions with those responsible. “Now the club has the opportunity to make a really clear and consistent cut – also with a view to the hierarchy in the team.”
In addition, the 1. FC Köln reported a few days ago and submitted an offer to him – even with a perspective beyond the active career. “That was the last building block to get this well -considered decision,” said Zieler.
Born in Cologne, the Cologne -born near Hanover has been under contract. He had also been active for Lower Saxony between 2010 and 2016. In the past three seasons, he has not missed a game in the 2nd league. With only 36 goals conceded, he was the statistically best keeper in the league last season. In 2014, Zieler was the third goalkeeper to the squad of the German national team, which won the World Cup title in Brazil.