Official | Köln sign Valencia’s Cenk Özkacar on loan, head coach reveals his next target | OneFootball

Newly promoted Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln have officially confirmed the arrival of Cenk Özkacar on loan from FC Valencia. Germany’s cathedral city club have thus filled their need for a left-footed-player in their central defensive corps. Most reliable German footballing media outlets confirm that Köln have secured a €2m purchase option as part of the deal.

As reported earlier, Köln also remain on the hunt for a right-footed centre back. There nevertheless remains no new news to report on the status of Köln’s pursuit of Middlesbrough’s Rav van den Berg. The statement issued by Kölner personnel chief Thomas Kessler does seem to suggest that the Effzeh wish to see their plans for van den Berg followed through on.

“With Cenk, we are getting a left-footed player for our central defense as planned,” Kessler noted in a club statement. “He will increase competitiveness at his position. He brings footballing quality, strong tackling and athleticism to the table. He is also tactically clever. Last season didn’t go so well for him, but we’re convinced of his potential, ability, and mentality.”

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Kölner training camp yesterday, head coach Lukas Kwasniok revealed that he himself remained interested in acquiring on of his former SC Paderborn 07 players. Versatile winger/fullback Raphael Obermair is definitely on Kwasniok’s wish list.

Kwasniok answered a reporter’s question about the former Bayern Munich academy man directly. Obermair is a journeyman who has spent his career playing for 2. Bundesliga and 3. Liga clubs. The German-Filipino has also briefly worked in the Austrian top flight. He’s not yet made a Bundesliga appearance.

“He [Obermair] is 29-years-old and it would be great if he were given the opportunity to show what he can do in the Bundesliga,” Kwasniok said. “In this case, it’s true that we’re very interested. Will see if it can be realized.“

GGFN | Peter Weis