Official
At the end of the transfer block, the Colony announced his first gig. It’s about Jusuf Gazibegovicwhich comes directly from the Austrian champions Sturm Graz – Eurorival of Atalanta in the Champions League -. The right back, born in 2000, will officially join the German club that plays in the second division starting from January 1st for a salary of 2 million euros.
Cologne lacks depth in the right-back position, especially since the manager Gerhard Struber he switched to the three-at-the-back system. Gazibegovic’s arrival was specifically chosen to overcome the emergency situation, but it also satisfies a reunion between two old acquaintances, as the 24-year-old Bosnian himself said after signing.
Presentation
“I signed here because it is a very big club in Germany, with a lot of tradition. I like it. Many factors – Gazibegovic told the club’s official channels – played a role in my decision. The city, which lives for the club. ‘coach, who knows me very well and trained me as a child. And the challenge: I want to be promoted to the Bundesliga with Cologne. I can’t wait to go.’
The official announcement and welcome
“FC’s first new signing since the lifting of the transfer ban by FIFA has been confirmed. Jusuf Gazibegovic will play for Cologne from 1 January 2025. The full-back, who can play on the right and left, arrives from Sturm Graz .
Last Saturday the Bosnian played for the last time in the Austrian Bundesliga. The day before last, the 24-year-old missed the Champions League match due to a suspension. Gazibegovic has made 22 appearances for Graz, including 14 in the league (one goal, one assist), as well as five Champions League matches and three ÖFB-Cup matches”, the Cologne press release concludes.
Christian KellerCEO of Cologne, welcomed Gazibegovic thus: “Jusuf joins us after a season in which he was a key player in Graz as a full-back. We are very happy that we were able to bring him to Cologne. Despite his age, Jusuf has a wealth of experience at national and international level. In addition to his football skills, he is very strong mentally. He is a player who never gives up and has the ambition to help FC return to the Bundesliga as soon as possible.”