Newsblog for 1. FC Cologne
Transfer double strike: FC borrowed two Bundesliga professionals
Updated on July 5th, 2025 – 6:22 p.m.Reading time: 97 min.
The 1. FC Köln is the football club from the cathedral city. In the New sticker on T-Online you will find all the important messages about the “billy goats”.
After more than a month without further transfers, the 1st FC Köln fetched a double strike: Tom Krauss’ commitment followed the loan of Wolfsburg’s winger Jakub Kaminski on Friday. The 24-year-old central midfielder is initially loaned for one season by FSV Mainz 05. If the “billy goats” succeed in relegation, there is reportedly a purchase obligation of around 3.5 million euros.
Cologne’s sports director Thomas Kessler says: “We are pleased that we were able to win Tom for FC. With him we get another important option for our central midfield, which will give our game new impulses.” Krauss himself added: “Thomas Kessler and the coach have given me several reasons for FC.
The 1. FC Köln has extended the contract with his own plant Emin Kujovic in the long term until 2028. The midfielder also signed his first working paper for the professionals. “Emin brings the prerequisites to arrive in Bundesliga football sooner or later. We are convinced of this and therefore we have extended the contract with it in the long term,” says technical director Lukas Berg.
Kujovic starts the season preparation with the team of coach Lukas Kwasniok on Monday. At the same time, however, the FC is looking for a rental association for its midfield talent. “At the same time, we clearly discussed with him that he has to take the next step on regular missions at a high level. That is why we are currently working with Emin on a loan in an environment in which he will have the chance,” explains Berg with regard to the 20-year-old.
The 1. FC Köln has transferred Max Finkgräfe to RB Leipzig. The change of the 21-year-old was made perfect on Thursday. “After open discussions, Max clearly signaled us that he does not want to extend his contract with 1st FC Köln,” said FC sports director Thomas Kessler. “We could have imagined to continue this path together with Max. Since he unfortunately rejected this, it was clear to us that we would let Max go against an appropriate transfer allowance this summer.”
With RB Leipzig, “a satisfactory solution” has now been found, said Kessler. According to reports, the billy goats collect a base revenue of around four million euros, which can still increase to around five million euros due to bonuses. In addition, the FC wanted to secure resale participation. However, the clubs agreed not to disclose the transfer details.
Max Finkgräfe will leave the 1. FC Köln. The left -back completed the medical check at RB Leipzig on Wednesday and is to be presented on Thursday as the new player of the Red Bulls. The 21-year-old is said to sign a five-year contract and costs four million euros plus bonuses.
Steffen Tigges is one of the candidates for a departure this summer at 1. FC Köln. His consultant Sebastian Voss told the “Geissblog” on Tuesday: “There was a conversation with Thomas Kessler. Steffen’s chances of getting on time are low. Therefore, all pages are trying to find a solution.”