1. FC Köln have signed Luca Waldschmidt. The 27-year-old forward has joined FC on loan until 30th June 2024 from VfL Wolfsburg. The seven-time German international made 18 appearances for the Wolves in the past season, scoring four goals. Waldschmidt also managed to feature twice in the DFB-Pokal, adding a further goal to his tally.

Managing Director, Christian Keller said: “We’ve been in contact with Luca for a while and are really happy that we’ve been able to win him over for FC. Luca has all the necessary qualities to give our game more options and danger in the final third. We are also convinced that he will also enrich our team as a person. I would like to thank VfL Wolfsburg for the open, constructive discussions to make the loan possible.”

Luca Waldschmidt said: “I am really looking forward to the club, the coach, my new team-mates, the fans and the stadium. I was able to play here a few times and I know what a difference the atmosphere here can make. The atmosphere that the fans create is something special. Now I want to experience that as much as possible in an FC kit and be successful doing so. I can feel that everyone here is raring to go, have plenty of energy and have a real plan.”

Luca Walschmidt born on 19th May 1995 in Siegen. After the attacker took his first footballing steps at SSV Oranien Frohnhausen, SSC Juno Burg and TSG Wieseck, Waldschmidt joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 2010. After six years in Frankfurt, he moved to Hamburger SV in 2016 and then to SC Freiburg in 2018. Two seasons later, he made the move to Lisbon and SL Benfica. In August 2021, he then joined VfL Wolfsburg. He made 37 appearances for the Wolves. On 9th October 2019, he made his debut for the German national team.