Football Season Guide

Having just about avoided relegation in the previous campaign, Koln completed an amazing turnaround last season as they secured European qualification for only the second time in three decades by finishing seventh in the league table. Koln far from dominated their opponents but did pick up key results at regular intervals and coach Steffen Baumgart will be hoping for more of the same once again this season. Baumgart has managed to hold on to most of his first choice players and, while Koln have not spent big in the transfer window, there have been a decent number of incomings. Kilian's loan deal was converted into a permanent move while Sargis Adamyan and Steffen Tigges both arrive to boost their options in the attack. Kristian Pedersen and Linton Maina arrive on free transfers while Eric Martel and Denis Huseinbasic have been signed to replace the only major departure for Koln with Salih Ozcan sold to Borussia Dortmund. Obuz, Ostrak, Horn and Schaub have also left the club after their contracts expired. Koln have not spent big in the transfer window despite managing to bring in a decent number of players and, unless they hit a good run of form, they are likely to find it difficult replicating their European qualification from last season.