FC Koln has reinstated striker Imad Rondic to first-team training following a seven-week suspension. The 27-year-old Bosnian forward was excluded from the squad in July and has since been limited to individual sessions.
Why was Rondic suspended?
The specific reasons for Imad Rondic's suspension in July were not publicly detailed. The attacker, who was expected to train with the professionals after returning from his loan to Preußen Münster, was instead banned from team activities. For the past seven weeks, Rondic worked exclusively on an individual basis with assistant coach Kevin McKenna. During this period, the striker, whose contract with FC Koln runs until 2029, failed to find a new club. The situation developed into an internal squad issue, with little information initially leaking out.
How did his individual training progress?
The individual program under Kevin McKenna's supervision appears to have been decisive for his return. Sporting director Thomas Kessler told Bild Sport: "Imad has shown us every day over the past weeks in a situation that was not easy for him, with what attitude and commitment he approaches his tasks. In individual training with Kevin McKenna he worked very professionally and made it clear with his performances that he deserves to return fully to the training operations of our licensed squad." This public statement by the 40-year-old executive marks a clear reversal in the treatment of the player.
What role does Rondic play in the current squad?
Imad Rondic's return comes at a time when FC Koln is assessing its squad planning for upcoming challenges. Last season, the Bosnian managed only ten appearances and one goal for Cologne. His loan to Preußen Münster yielded 14 games and two goals. Head coach René Wagner, 38, must now decide if and how to integrate the striker into his plans. The next opportunity for an appearance comes on September 4th in the away match at VfB Stuttgart. You can view the complete season schedule on our fixtures page.
What does this mean for his contract situation?
A transfer during the summer window did not materialize for Imad Rondic. Therefore, his contract with FC Koln, valid until 2029, remains fully in force. By reintegrating him, the club leadership has chosen to continue its investment in the player rather than maintaining his exclusion. This decision also has financial implications, as the striker remains part of the team's salary structure. The current squad composition can be viewed in detail on our squad overview.
Reinstating Imad Rondic to team training represents a second chance for the forward. His professional comeback after seven weeks of isolation will now have to prove itself in the coming training sessions and potentially in the match on September 4th in Stuttgart.
