Surprise departure at 1. FC Köln: The Effzeh confirmed that Rafael Czichos (31) is moving to the USA to join the Chicago Fire with immediate effect.
Czichos’ contract only ran until the end of the season, but his departure still hurts Cologne, as Jörg Jakobs confirmed in a club statement. “Losing a key performer and leading player in the middle of the season is not a scenario you want.”
“With Rafa, an absolute leader is leaving us, he was a very important contact person for me in the last six months on and off the pitch. In addition, he was also one of our top performers,” said coach Steffen Baumgart: “You don’t like to let someone like that go.”
The departure from Cologne after three and a half emotional and successful years at FC is not easy.
Nevertheless, the 49-year-old respects the defender’s decision. “It’s a brave move.” Baumgart himself will now have to consider how he will play in defence in the second half of the season, after all, Czichos had featured in all 17 Bundesliga games.
More playing time for Hübers and Kilian?
It is not clear at the moment whether Cologne will be active on the transfer market once again. Timo Hübers and Luca Kilian, who have been competing for the place next to Czichos, now have the best prospects of a regular place. In addition, Jorge Meré and Sava Cestic can hope for more playing time.
Czichos himself is looking forward to his new role, although “leaving Cologne after three and a half emotional and successful years at FC is not easy”, as he said, but: “When the offer came from the USA, I decided together with my family to fulfil a dream and move to the USA for the next three years. “
