1. FC Köln turns this talented U19 central defender into a professional

FC Köln are not yet allowed to sign any players in this summer transfer window. The second division club will have to look elsewhere and look internally for reinforcements

According to information from Forecasting, second-division soccer club 1. FC Köln has signed Marlon Monning to a professional contract. The central defender, who made six U19 appearances and played one regional league game last season, previously played on a development contract

The 19-year-old, who won the DFB Cup for juniors with FC in the 2022/23 season, is regarded as one of the great talents at FC, but he was unable to make his mark in the men’s regional league last season.

That should now be possible. His advisor Manfred Batz told Forecasting: “I am firmly convinced that Marlon, a family man, will take the next big step with both the U21s and the professionals once the ink is dry on his professional contract dated 25 June 2024. ”

If Monning, who was born in Cologne, really wants to make a start in Cologne, they will have to sit down together quickly. The new contract expires after the 2024/2025 season – and then FC Köln will be able to make external transfers again.

It is now up to Monning to prove that he can not only be a talent for the future, but above all a reinforcement for FC Köln.

1. FC Köln: “Effzeh” has signed and loaned out several U19 talents

Those responsible around new coach Gerhard Struber have already signed a number of talented players from the U19s this summer. However, due to the FIFA transfer ban imposed on the “Effzeh”, these players had to be loaned out for the time being.

Mansour Ouro-Tagba comes to Cologne from TSV 1860 Munich. But for now, the center forward will be on the hunt for goals for second division rivals SSV Jahn Regensburg. Chilohem Onuoha arrives from RB Leipzig and the 19-year-old has been loaned out to Sportclub Verl. Like Onuoha, brothers Said El Mala (17) and Malek El Mala (19) will also initially play in the 3rd division. After signing for 1. FC Köln, the brothers will continue to play for their former club Viktoria Köln.