The 1. FC Köln has prepared the preparation for the Bundesliga season. A transfer seeped through. Ron-Robert Zieler comes back to Cologne.
The 1. FC Köln fetches a world champion from 2014 back to the cathedral city. Ron-Robert Zieler completed the medical check on Monday during the skill of the billy goats and is supposed to become the new number two to FC. Born in Cologne, he returns to his home club after four years.
This was confirmed by Lukas Kwasniok on Monday afternoon after the new FC coach had just completed its first unit on the lawn at Geißbockheim. “A brilliant coup,” said the new head coach. “We have the two best goalkeepers of the last second division season in our squad.”
At Hannover 96, Zieler showed outstanding achievements in the past season, while Marvin Schwäbe had led FC to promotion. “That won’t change the hierarchy,” said Kwasniok immediately. That was discussed with the goal. Swabia remains number one, but the 36-year-old veteran becomes number two.
This closes an important construction site for FC after Anthony Racioppi and Philipp Pentke have left as well as goalkeeper talent Jonas Nickisch. So far, three departures between the posts faced zero new additions in the goal. The previous U19 goalkeeper Luis Hauer trained with the professionals on Monday. The target should close this gap and, according to Kwasniok, will be training with FC for the first time on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Cologne coach was able to look forward to a large rush at the Geißbockheim. Over 400 fans came on Monday afternoon to examine the new team for the first time since the ascent. With Ragnar Ache, Isak Johannesson, Tom Krauss, Jakub Kaminski and Malek El Mala, five new additions trained. Only Said El Mala was missing, who is still on vacation.
“I had goose bumps when I put on my jersey for the first time,” said Kwasniok. In the coming days, the players would “also complete some physical units that they won’t look forward to,” the 44-year-old pushed with a smile. The first test game will be scheduled for SV Bergisch-Gladbach on Saturday. Maybe with targets in the FC jersey.