Filip Mladenovic (r.) joins 1. FC Köln on a three-year deal until 2019. - © © gettyimages / Oleg Nikishin
Filip Mladenovic (r.) joins 1. FC Köln on a three-year deal until 2019. - © © gettyimages / Oleg Nikishin

Serbian left-back Filip Mladenovic joins Köln

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1. FC Köln completed the signing of Serbian defender Filip Mladenovic from BATE Borisov on Tuesday.

'A big challenge'

The 24-year-old has signed a three-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2019. He spent the last 18 months at Belarusian champions BATE, making 73 appearances in the league and 11 in the UEFA Champions League. The left-back has also represented Serbia at international level.

"The Bundesliga is a big challenge for me, and I'm very happy that I can take it on at Köln," said Mladenovic. "I had heard a lot about 1. FC Köln back home in Serbia. I'm really looking forward to getting to know the team, the club and the city."

Köln sporting director Jörg Schmadtke said he was delighted that the transfer had been completed: "Mladenovic is a player with international experience who has grabbed a lot of attention in the Champions League this season. I'm very happy that he decided to join us."