1. FC Köln secures contract extension and announces Skhiri international retirement

1. FC Köln has announced several key personnel developments. The club has secured a long-term contract extension with 19-year-old midfielder Kristiyan Irmiev. A product of the club’s youth system since the U11 level, Irmiev has recently been training with the professional squad under head coach René Wagner.

Additionally, midfielder Elyes Skhiri has announced his retirement from international football with the Tunisian national team. Skhiri, who recently rejoined 1. FC Köln from Eintracht Frankfurt on a contract lasting until 2028, expressed that representing his home country was a great honor despite the challenges faced during the 2026 World Cup.