Cologne move for Türkiye's Cenk Özkacar
Cologne have strengthened defensively ahead of their Bundesliga return with the arrival of Türkiye international Cenk Özkacar on loan from Spanish La Liga side Valencia.
The İzmir native (24) was most recently loaned out at Real Valladolid, where he made 12 La Liga appearances in 2024/25. The 6'2" centre-back previously spent time at Lyon and OH Leuven and his move to the Billy-Goats offers one more central option to add to club mainstay and captain Timo Hübers and Joël Schmied.
“With Cenk, we are signing the left-footed centre-back that we had planned to bring in, who will increase the competition for places as well as the level in that position," Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler explained.
"He brings footballing quality, is strong in the tackle and is athletic. He is also tactically clever," Kessler added of his side's latest signing.
"I knew immediately that this move to Germany and the Bundesliga was the right step for me," Cologne's new man continued, in quotes appearing on the club's official website.
"I'm looking forward to the stadium and the fans, who are known for their passion and support well outside of the city boundaries,” Özkacar continued.
Cologne are back in the Bundesliga after winning the second-division title last term. They begin their upcoming campaign under new coach Lukas Kwasniok with a DFB Cup, first-round encounter against Jahn Regensburg on 17 August and follow that with a trip to Mainz and a Bundesliga Matchday 1 fixture a week later.
