1.FC Köln are set to add Ghana international Gideon Mensah and Australian midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler to their squad ahead of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season. Mensah will join the club on a free transfer, pending a successful medical examination scheduled for Friday, July 10th, while Okon-Engstler will arrive from Sydney FC for a fee of approximately €1 million.
Mensah, 27, most recently represented Ghana at the World Cup, starting in all four of their matches during the tournament. The left-back is available on a free transfer after his contract with previous club Auxerre expired, offering Köln a cost-effective solution to bolster their defensive options. He brings international experience and is expected to compete for a starting role on the left side of defence.
Okon-Engstler, 21, also featured prominently for Australia at the World Cup, making four appearances, including two starts, before the Socceroos were eliminated. According to Fabrizio Romano, the versatile midfielder will undergo a medical and complete his signing next week. The fee of around €1 million reflects his potential and the need for midfield reinforcement at Köln.
Köln have been actively working to strengthen their squad during the off-season, recognising the need for greater depth and competition within the team. The arrival of Mensah and Okon-Engstler addresses specific areas of concern – left-back and central midfield – and provides coach Timo Schultz with more tactical flexibility. Both players’ recent World Cup experience will be valuable as Köln prepares for a challenging Bundesliga campaign.
The addition of these two players signals Köln’s intent to improve upon their previous season’s performance and establish themselves as a consistent force in the Bundesliga. Okon-Engstler’s versatility will be particularly useful, allowing him to contribute in multiple midfield positions and adapt to different tactical approaches.
