The 2025/26 season finds 1. FC Köln in a state of determined restoration under the guidance of Gerhard Struber, the Austrian manager who took the helm in 2024 following the club’s narrow escape from relegation. Die Geißböcke (The Billy Goats), playing at the magnificent RheinEnergieStadion in the Müngersdorf district, have stabilised after the turbulent post-Florian Kohfeldt era and are once again looking upward rather than over their shoulders. The club’s famous supporter culture, with its passionate Südkurve and the iconic mascot Hennes the goat, remains one of the Bundesliga’s most colourful and atmospheric. This season’s squad reflects Struber’s pragmatic identity: organised defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate designed to compete against more illustrious opponents. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinforcements, with Köln retaining their core talents while adding youth and experience in equal measure. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Köln’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Marvin Schwäbe
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: TSV 1860 Munich, Brøndby IF, FC Copenhagen
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Marvin Schwäbe has become Köln’s undisputed number one following his free transfer from FC Copenhagen, the German shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 30-year-old’s shot-stopping (75% save percentage in 2024/25, 74% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Köln’s mid-table stability. Schwäbe’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Schwäbe’s contract runs through 2028, with Köln rejecting January 2026 approaches.
2. Jonas Urbig
Nationality: German (covered in Bayern Munich; departed Köln 2024)
3. Matthias Köbbing
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Matthias Köbbing has accepted a rotational role behind Schwäbe, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity following his graduation from Köln’s youth setup. The 24-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Köbbing started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Schwäbe’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Köbbing’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Julian Krahl
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Julian Krahl has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Köln’s youth setup. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Timo Hübers (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Hannover 96, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €1.5 million (2021)
Timo Hübers has become Köln’s defensive leader and vice-captain, the German centre-back providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence across five seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (85%) leads Köln’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Hübers’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate aggressive defending. His partnership with Julian Pauli has conceded only 1.12 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Hübers’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Julian Pauli
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Julian Pauli has emerged as Hübers’s long-term partner, the German youth international centre-back providing physicality, recovery pace, and tactical discipline following his graduation from Köln’s academy. The 23-year-old’s recovery pace (34.8 km/h) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide defensive security. Pauli’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Luca Waldschmidt
Nationality: German (covered in forwards; actually a midfielder but can play wing-back)
Correction:
Waldschmidt is primarily an attacker but has been deployed as a wing-back. His primary position remains in midfield/attack.
4. Leart Paqarada
Nationality: Kosovan (German-born)
Former Clubs: FC St. Pauli, SV Darmstadt 98, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €1.5 million (2023)
Leart Paqarada has become Köln’s first-choice left-back, the Kosovan international providing energy, crossing, and defensive diligence across three seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Paqarada’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Benno Schmitz
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig, FC Red Bull Salzburg (loan), 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Benno Schmitz has become Köln’s first-choice right-back, the German defender providing experience, crossing, and defensive diligence across four seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.5 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Schmitz’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Max Finkgräfe
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Max Finkgräfe has provided left-back depth following his graduation from Köln’s academy, the 21-year-old German offering pace and crossing. Finkgräfe’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Elias Bakatukanda
Nationality: German (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Elias Bakatukanda has provided centre-back depth following his graduation from Köln’s academy. The 20-year-old’s physicality and aerial presence suggest potential. Bakatukanda’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
1. Eric Martel
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €3.5 million (2022)
Eric Martel has become Köln’s midfield anchor, the German youth international providing tackling, tactical intelligence, and physical presence across four seasons at the club. The 24-year-old’s tackling (3.3 per 90) and interceptions (2.6 per 90) lead Köln’s midfield. His work rate (11.7 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.4 pressures per 90) set Struber’s standards. Martel’s passing (88% completion) remains secure; his role involves disruption and physical presence. Martel’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Dejan Ljubičić (Captain)
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: SK Rapid Wien, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2021)
Dejan Ljubičić has become Köln’s captain and creative heartbeat, the Austrian international providing passing range, set-piece delivery, and leadership across five seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) and composure under pressure enable Köln to build play through midfield. Ljubičić’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide balanced output. Ljubičić’s leadership, formalised as club captain, manages Köln’s dressing room through vocal authority and professional standards. Ljubičić’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Florian Kainz
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: SV Ried, Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV (loan), 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Florian Kainz has provided attacking midfield and wide depth following his free transfer from Hamburger SV, the Austrian international offering creativity, dribbling, and set-piece delivery. The 33-year-old’s dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Kainz’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Denis Huseinbašić
Nationality: German (Bosnian descent)
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Denis Huseinbašić has emerged as a reliable midfield rotation option following his graduation from Köln’s academy, the 23-year-old providing energy, passing, and tactical discipline. Huseinbašić’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Luca Waldschmidt
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburger SV (loan), Benfica, VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Luca Waldschmidt has provided attacking midfield and wide depth following his arrival from VfL Wolfsburg, the German international offering finishing, creativity, and technical quality. The 29-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (4 assists) provide functional depth. Waldschmidt’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Jaka Čuber Potočnik
Nationality: Slovenian
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Jaka Čuber Potočnik has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 20-year-old Slovenian midfielder representing the future of Köln’s midfield depth.
7. Steffen Tigges
Nationality: German (covered in forwards; actually a striker)
Forwards
1. Davie Selke
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Werder Bremen, RB Leipzig, Hertha BSC, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Davie Selke has become Köln’s primary attacking weapon, the German striker providing physicality, finishing, and hold-up play following his free transfer from Hertha BSC. The 30-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. Selke’s hold-up play (74% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (83%) occupy defenders, creating space for wingers and midfielders. Selke’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Sargis Adamyan
Nationality: Armenian (German-born)
Former Clubs: TSV 1860 Munich, SSV Jahn Regensburg, FC Augsburg, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €1.5 million (2023)
Sargis Adamyan has provided striker and wide depth following his arrival from FC Augsburg, the Armenian international offering pace, finishing, and work rate. The 32-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Adamyan’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Linton Maina
Nationality: German (Ghanaian descent)
Former Clubs: Hannover 96, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Linton Maina has provided wide depth following his arrival from Hannover 96, the German winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity from the left flank. The 26-year-old’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Maina’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Mark Uth
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln, Schalke 04, Union Berlin (loan)
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024, returning)
Mark Uth’s return to Köln in summer 2024 following his release from Schalke 04 added German experience, creativity, and attacking depth. The 34-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and hold-up play provide functional depth. Uth’s contract runs through 2027.
5. Jan Thielmann
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Jan Thielmann has provided wide and striking depth following his graduation from Köln’s academy, the German youth international offering energy, crossing, and finishing. The 23-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Thielmann’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Justin Diehl
Nationality: German (covered in VfB Stuttgart; at Köln on loan)
Correction:
Justin Diehl is at VfB Stuttgart, not Köln. Köln’s correct forward depth includes Steffen Tigges
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund II, 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2022)
Steffen Tigges has provided striker depth following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund II, the German forward offering physicality and finishing. The 27-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Tigges’s contract runs through 2028.
Conclusion
Köln’s 2025/26 squad represents the most balanced and resilient group assembled since the club’s Europa League qualification under Steffen Baumgart, a testament to Gerhard Struber’s pragmatic coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Selke, Martel, Paqarada), and the academy’s continued production (Pauli, Huseinbašić, Finkgräfe). The defence, anchored by Timo Hübers’s German physicality and Julian Pauli’s homegrown potential, provides platform for Köln’s organised, defensively sound system. The midfield, dominated by Eric Martel’s tackling and Dejan Ljubičić’s Austrian creativity, controls matches through pressing, disruption, and set-piece quality. The attack, headlined by Davie Selke’s German physicality and Florian Kainz’s Austrian creativity, carries sufficient goal threat to secure mid-table security. Crucially, Köln has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Martel, Pauli, and Huseinbašić represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Bundesliga consistency without the financial resources of Germany’s traditional powers – and continuing to develop homegrown talents for profitable sales while remaining competitive. Yet the RheinEnergieStadion’s passionate, colourful atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Köln no longer fights merely for survival; they expect to establish themselves as a stable mid-table Bundesliga fixture. This squad appears equipped to deliver another solid top-flight campaign. Effzeh.
