Official – Martin James leaves PSG on an emotional note, joins Bundesliga!

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·24 July 2026

Official – Martin James leaves PSG on an emotional note, joins Bundesliga!

Martin James, an 18-year-old goalkeeper trained at Paris Saint-Germain, had reached the end of his youth contract this summer and a decision had to be made about signing a professional deal. Despite an offer from PSG, the academy product chose to leave and signed with Cologne, who finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season.

The goalkeeper accompanied his departure from his boyhood club with a message on social media.

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James: “I gave you everything, and in return you gave me an experience that was simply unforgettable”

“You who welcomed me, you who helped me grow, you who helped me improve… You made me live through very difficult moments, but also moments of pure happiness. I gave you everything, and in return you gave me an experience that was simply unforgettable. I’m writing to you today with a lot of emotion and a feeling that is hard to describe. During my development, I experienced everything: moments of doubt, victories, injuries, defeats… and I thank you for all of it.

James: “Thank you all for the work done since day one.”

I would also like to thank all the people who work behind the scenes, without whom the club could not exist, as well as those who personally supported me throughout my development at Paris Saint-Germain. A special thought to the entire goalkeeping department, both the players and the coaches. Thank you all for the work done since day one. A new life and new plans are now waiting for me elsewhere. Paris, I’m leaving you today as a different man and player from the one I was when I arrived. See you again soon on the pitch. ❤️💙.”

It is a very special moment, full of emotion but no doubt well thought out. Like every player in an academy, James may have dreamed of establishing himself at his club. But the step up is a huge one, especially at a two-time European champion. It is even more complicated in the goalkeeper position, where sharing playing time is very difficult.

The young keeper is therefore embarking on a new adventure, hoping to get first-team playing time a little more quickly. The Bundesliga is known for giving young players a certain amount of trust, so it is a choice that makes sense. Even if there are no guarantees either. They do not exist in football anyway. A career can move quickly and in all directions.

All we can do is wish James great things in Cologne and hope he continues to grow so he can build a career in which he thrives. Even if we regret that he did not stay at PSG and go out on loan to gain experience.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.