Gideon Mensah Takes Over Iconic No. 14 Shirt at 1. FC Köln

Ghana international left‑back Gideon Mensah, 28, joined 1. FC Köln on a free transfer from AJ Auxerre after a three‑week leave following the World Cup. He has been granted the historic No. 14 shirt, previously worn by club legend Jonas Hector, who retired in May 2023 after 11 seasons and 347 appearances for the Billy Goats.

Mensah said he feels a “great responsibility” in inheriting the number and wants to write his own chapter, aiming to help resolve the left‑back position that has troubled Cologne since Hector’s departure. He arrived at the club’s Kitzbühel training camp, completing part of a session despite a lingering infection. His first competitive appearance could come in the DFB‑Pokal on 24 August against Würzburger Kickers or in the Bundesliga opening match versus Hoffenheim, where he looks forward to the support of the RheinEnergieStadion crowd.