Imad Rondic has made a surprise return to the FC Koln squad after completing a six-week individual training program. The 27-year-old forward traveled with the team for their Bundesliga away match at VfB Stuttgart on Friday evening, as reported by Bild Sport.
Three key attacking players, Said El Mala, Thijs Dallinga, and Luca Waldschmidt, were ruled out injured for the fixture. This prompted head coach René Wagner to consider Rondic as a potential placeholder. The Bosnian last played for FC Koln in the 2024/25 season before loan spells in Poland and at Preußen Münster.
Why was Imad Rondic brought back?
The decision came after an intensive six-week period of solo training for Rondic in Cologne. The player had previously been excluded from the first-team squad. He rejoined team training this past Wednesday. Coach René Wagner, 38, justified the call-up by pointing to the player's attitude. "The player threw himself into everything that was asked of him for six weeks." Wagner told Bild Sport.
Rondic signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with FC Koln in January 2025. In his first stint at the club, he made nine Bundesliga appearances and scored one goal. His comeback could provide important short-term cover as the injury list grows.
What is the current personnel situation?
The injuries to El Mala, Dallinga, and Waldschmidt present a challenge for FC Koln's attack. The exact duration of the absences is not yet known, but they will at least miss the Friday game in Stuttgart. This highlights the importance of having broad and motivated squad depth. Fans can track player status on our injuries page.
The next opportunity for Rondic to play after his return is the home match against Werder Bremen on September 12, 2026. This game is part of a demanding period in the schedule, which can be viewed on our fixtures page. The current league standings are available on our standings page.
What does this mean for Rondic's future in Cologne?
The return to the squad is a significant step for Rondic, who aims to continue his career at FC Koln. His contract runs until the summer of 2029, giving him and the club time for further development. Whether he can secure a regular starting spot long-term depends on his performances in the coming weeks and the return of his injured teammates.
The nomination for Stuttgart shows that training efforts are being recognized. For FC Koln, it's a pragmatic solution to an acute personnel issue. The team needs to collect points in the upcoming matches to establish itself in the secure mid-table of the Bundesliga. The next task awaits on September 12 at the RheinEnergieSTADION against Werder Bremen.
