Gideon Mensah clarifies 1. FC Köln transfer timeline

Ghanaian defender Gideon Mensah has clarified that his transfer to Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln was agreed upon prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While many believed his performances during the tournament secured the move, Mensah stated that negotiations had begun well before the event, though they became more concrete during the competition.

Mensah joined Köln following a four-year tenure at the French club AJ Auxerre. He described leaving Auxerre as a difficult decision, noting that the club had become a home to him after years of playing under various loan contracts. Despite the emotional difficulty of the move, he emphasized the necessity of the transfer for his professional growth.

Since joining the German side, Mensah has already made his Bundesliga debut, contributing to a 3-2 victory over TSG Hoffenheim. The 28-year-old has expressed ambitions to establish himself as one of the premier left-backs in the Bundesliga.