Official: Köln sign Australian international Paul Okon-Engstler from Sydney FC | OneFootball

1. FC Köln have signed Australian international Paul Okon-Engstler from Sydney FC on a deal to 2030, their second World Cup addition after last week’s arrival of Gideon Mensah.

According to BuLi News, the fee is €one million. The Belgium-born midfielder played in all four of Australia’s 2026 World Cup games and assisted their first goal, scored by former Bayern prospect Nestory Irankunda, who is expected to join Sporting CP from Watford.

Managing director Thomas Kessler said the club are delighted with Okon-Engstler’s decision, highlighting his strong development at Sydney FC and his performances with the national team at the World Cup.

Okon-Engstler, 21, described Köln as a historic club with passionate support and said the move is the right step for his career, adding that he cannot wait to get started.

He left Australia at 14 for Club Brugge’s academy, spent a brief spell with Benfica’s youth side, then returned in 2025 to join Sydney FC.

His father, Paul, a former Premier League and Serie A player, served as Australia’s assistant coach at the World Cup. A bout of flu delayed the transfer slightly until the midfielder completed his medical.

The 10-time international is due at Köln’s training camp in Kitzbühel, Austria, on Friday. He is touted to be understudy for either Ellyes Skhiri or Edson Álvarez. Köln also welcomed the Tunisian international’s return after Eintracht Frankfurt released him for transfer talks, with no updates on a sensational move for the Mexican midfielder.

Source: BuLi News