The summer transfer window is still open until 1 September 2022. A former FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund talent also has to be patient and is looking for a club.

A good two years ago, Albin Thaqi was still a sought-after talent at Borussia Dortmund. The central defender was allowed to play for the U23s as an U19 player and through good performances he even played his way into the focus of the professionals.

“I was part of the Bad Ragaz training camp under Marco Rose. Of course, that was a great experience for me. After that, however, I continued in the U23s,” recalls the now 20-year-old defender.

Suddenly, however, things were no longer going well for Thaqi. “In the U23s, the focus was more on young professionals like Zagadou, Maloney or Papadopoulos. I had to make room there. In the winter of 2022, I moved to Fortuna Köln,” he explains and adds: “That was a good six months. I played 14 games and was part of a great team. Life in Cologne is also ideal. But at the end of the season, we parted ways. There was no contract offer for me anymore. “

Let’s see what it will be in the end. I’m staying calm. The clubs still have a few weeks to go. I want to make the right decision and play for a coach who trusts me one hundred percent. Then I can deliver top performances.

Albin Thaqi

The German-Kosovar born in Dortmund has been looking for a club since 1 July. The club that signs him will definitely get a top trained central defender. Between 2013 and 2017, he played in the Knappenschmiede at FC Schalke 04, then – between July 2017 and January 2022 – at Borussia Dortmund. “But my heart only beats for black and yellow. I’m a Dortmund boy through and through,” he emphasises.

The Westphalian does not yet know where he will end up. Thaqi can only reveal this much: “I’ve had one or two enquiries from the Regionalliga Nord, but also from Holland and Switzerland. We’ll see what happens in the end. I’m staying calm. I definitely want to play professional football! The clubs still have a few weeks to go. I want to make the right decision and play for a coach who trusts me one hundred percent. Then I can deliver top performances. “