While his colleagues of 1. FC Köln were still digesting the 0:4 defeat against Bayern on Saturday, Jorge Meré was already on the plane that took him via Madrid to Mexico City. There, if the medical examination does not give any problems, he will join the first division club CF America and will soon play the home games for his new club in the legendary Azteca Stadium.
Whether there will be a transfer fee for Cologne – who once paid seven million euros for Meré to Sporting Gijon – has not been publicly communicated. The fact is that FC will save around three million euros in salary, which the player would have been entitled to until the end of his contract in 2023.
“We have found a solution,” announced sporting director Jörg Jakobs, who must now work with his colleagues to find a replacement.
After Rafael Czichos’ transfer to Chicago Fire at the beginning of the year, coach Steffen Baumgart’s squad only includes two trained centre-backs, Luca Kilian and Timo Hübers.
The search is on at two levels. It is possible to sign a player with the necessary experience who is available at short notice. At the same time, however, the team is also looking for long-term reinforcements.
