BILD: FC Cologne close to free transfer of Ghana World Cup star Gideon Mensah

Published Jul 9, 04:24 PM UTC

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1. FC Köln is close to signing Ghanaian left-back Gideon Mensah (27) on a free transfer, according to BILD. Mensah, who impressed at the 2026 World Cup before Ghana's Round of 32 exit to Colombia, has agreed to join Cologne after his contract with French Ligue 1 side Auxerre expired. The final transfer details are expected to be clarified by the weekend. Mensah is seen as the solution to Cologne's defensive problems on the left flank, a position that required multiple fill-ins last season. He is expected to be an immediate starter under coach René Wagner, bringing 108 Ligue 1 appearances, strong tackling, and pace. Cologne recently signed center-back Luka Lochoshvili, addressing two key defensive gaps in one week. Mensah will likely take time off before joining training due to his World Cup participation.

Source report

Cologne – This is likely to be Cologne's first exclamation mark on the transfer market. FC is close to signing World Cup destroyer Gideon Mensah (27).

According to BILD information, the Ghana star has already agreed to join Cologne. The final transfer details are expected to be clarified by the weekend. Then Mensah will be a Cologne player.

With this, FC is solving its two biggest defensive problem areas within one week. Last Thursday, Cologne signed Luka Lochoshvili (28) as the first external new arrival, ending the lengthy search for a suitable center-back. Now Mensah is set to plug the last gap on the left side of defense — a problem position where numerous players had to fill in last season who were not originally planned for that role.

Mensah has been in contact with FC for some time, after letting his contract with French first-division club Auxerre expire this summer following four years, making him available on a free transfer. However, the final talks only gained momentum after his World Cup exit in the Round of 32 against Colombia (0-1) and are now nearing completion.

Mensah (r.) in his last World Cup game against Colombia (0-1). It ended in the Round of 32. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Mensah Is an Immediate Candidate for the Starting Eleven

The Ghanaian is likely to be an immediate candidate for the starting eleven under coach René Wagner (37), not least because of his strong World Cup performance. He brings experience from 108 Ligue 1 appearances to FC and is expected to be deployable both in a back four and as a wing-back in a system with a back three.

Apart from his outstanding tackling strength, Mensah can make the game extremely fast on the left side thanks to his pace, giving Wagner plenty of power on the flanks with Mensah and Castro-Montes (right side).

The only catch with the upcoming transfer: Even if the signing happens quickly now and clarity is achieved by Monday, Mensah is unlikely to join FC training directly on July 13 due to his World Cup participation, but will first take some time off.

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Source

BILD - SportWestern

Original headline: FC-Transfer vor Abschluss - Ghana-Star Mensah sagt Köln zu

Original language: DE

Part of this Story

FC Cologne Signs Ghanaian Left-Back Gideon Mensah on Free Transfer

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