1. FC Köln have extended the contract of Damion Downs until 2026.

1. FC Köln have extended the contract of under-19 DFB-Pokal winner Damion Downs. On Sunday, Downs scored a brace in the final to seal a 4:3 win over FC Schalke 04. A few days prior, he had signed his first professional deal with FC.

Thomas Kessler, Head of Football, said: “Since his arrival in our under-17s, Damion has continued to develop. Despite one or two setbacks at a young age, he has proven his qualities in what was a very successful season for our under-19s. We are pleased that we can continue that together and are convinced that he will make the next steps towards first-team football with our coaching staff.”

Damion Downs said: “I’m really happy to have signed my first professional deal at FC. Three years ago, I came to Köln from Ingolstadt with this exact dream, and I now feel at home here. With the under-19 DFB-Pokal win and the contract, it is the best week of my life so far. I will do everything I can to play Bundesliga football in the future.”

Damion Downs was born on 6th July 2004. Before joining the 1. FC Köln under-17s in September 2020, he played for 1. FC Schweinfurt 05 and FC Ingolstadt’s youth teams. Together with his team-mates, FC’s under-19s reached the semi-finals of the German championship. His two goals then helped FC to win the under-19 DFB-Pokal on Sunday.