Marco Höger will swap Schalke for Köln at the end of the season.
Marco Höger will swap Schalke for Köln at the end of the season.

Höger to join Köln from Schalke in the summer

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FC Schalke 04 midfielder Marco Höger has signed a contract to join hometown club 1. FC Köln at the end of the season, both clubs have confirmed.

Read: Gladbach 1-0 Köln match report

"It was a childhood dream of mine to play for 1. FC Köln," said Höger, who has signed a contract with the Billy Goats until 30 June 2021. "My grandfather and my father took me to their stadium when I was a little boy."

Höger, 26, has made nearly 100 appearances for Die Königsblauen since joining from Alemannia Aachen in 2011, helping the Gelsenkirchen-based side lift the Supercup at the end of that campaign. The 26-year-old's game time has been limited this season, though, amid struggles with a knee injury.

Player card: click here for detailed Höger stats

Despite being born in Cologne, Höger has never represented his hometown team, though sporting director Jörg Schmadtke has little doubt the versatile midfielder will adjust quickly, saying: "Höger is a strong, robust player. He is a hard runner who is combative and has impressed in recent years."