1. FC Köln made several squad decisions on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Offensive talent Patrik Kristal has left the club on loan, while defender Regula is close to a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund.

These developments were reported on Wednesday by t-online – Köln. They come as FC Köln prepares for its next Bundesliga fixture, an away match against VfB Stuttgart on September 4, 2026. The team may have to cope with two illness-related absences for that game.

Which players could miss the Stuttgart match?

Said El Mala and Thijs Dallinga missed training on Wednesday due to illness. René Wagner, who is informed about the squad, stated, "Bei beiden sieht es so aus, dass es eng werden kann." This means their availability for the Stuttgart match is in serious doubt. That would be a significant blow, as both were decisive in the season opener against TSG Hoffenheim. El Mala scored the equalizer in the 3-2 win, and Dallinga netted twice on his competitive debut for Köln.

In case of their absence, Borna Sosa and Mikey Moore are available as options. Both are fit and have trained. "Also beide sind auf jeden Fall eine Option. Beide sind fit, beide haben auch trainiert," Wagner confirmed. Sosa is a new signing this season, while Moore has been part of the squad longer. The current injury list and upcoming fixtures can be found on our fixtures page.

Which transfers has FC Köln completed?

Alongside potential short-term squad issues, the club has made long-term moves. Twenty-one-year-old centre-back Julian Pauli has been loaned to Danish top-flight side Odense BK for one year. This loan only became possible after the German transfer deadline passed on Tuesday, as the Danish window remained open on Wednesday. Managing director Thomas Kessler stated that Pauli should gain important match experience at Odense BK.

Pauli joined Köln's academy from Borussia Dortmund's U17s in 2021. He won the DFB-Pokal Junioren with Köln's U19s in 2023. During the 2024/25 season, he made 17 appearances for the first team in the 2. Bundesliga. Last season, he was already on loan at second-division side Dynamo Dresden, where he played 21 matches. His progress can be tracked on our squad page.

Another move involves young player Elias Bakatukanda, who has transferred to VfL Osnabrück. In return, Imad Rondic has returned to training after an injury layoff. Furthermore, Ukrainian youth international Andrii Hamzyk is set to join 1. FC Köln. The exact contract lengths for these players are not yet public.

What does Regula's potential move mean?

One of the day's most notable pieces of news concerns defender Regula. He is reportedly close to signing a contract with league rivals Borussia Dortmund. Regula was previously valued at around 18 million euros. His potential departure would leave a gap in Köln's defence that would need to be addressed in the coming weeks.

In parallel, midfielder Patrik Kristal has been loaned to Swiss club FC Thun. This means FC Köln is again opting to give a young talent playing time away from the club. The loan gives Kristal the chance to develop further in a different league. The exact duration of the loan was not disclosed.

These transfers show that FC Köln remains active in shaping its squad even after the official transfer window has closed. The current league table and further statistics are available on our standings page. 1. FC Köln's next match is the away fixture at VfB Stuttgart on Friday, September 4, 2026.