1. FC Köln and Southampton have come to an agreement over a transfer for Damion Downs. The 21-year-old striker has moved to the Championship side.
“We held intense and opens talks about a shared future with Damion. In those discussions, we offered him a very attractive sporting and monetary perspective, from our point of view. This was with the clear chance to take on a central role in the Bundesliga. Damion, however, has decided to go down a different path. As a result, we secured a solution for 1. FC Köln that lies within a good financial bracket. We thank Damion for his efforts at FC and his important role in our return to the Bundesliga. We wish him all the very best for the future,” said Sporting Director, Thomas Kessler.
Damion Downs said: “Five years ago, I arrived in Köln as a teenager from Ingolstadt and I am extremely thankful for the warmness and support here the entire time. It was always enjoyable, and the time here will always stay in my heart. The promotion back to the Bundesliga was one of the best moments of my life. Above all, I want to thank Stefen Ruthenbeck and Thomas Kessler, who took especially good care of me. I wish everyone in Köln all the best for a successful Bundesliga season.”
Damion Downs joined the FC Academy from Ingolstadt back in 2020. He spent his first season with the under-17s, continually developing and after a strong return of eight goals in 18 games for the under-21s in 2023-24, made an impression in the first-team. On 23rd September 2023, he made his Bundesliga debut in a 2:1 defeat to Werder Bremen. He scored his first goal in a memorable 3:3 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. After his first Bundesliga season (10 games, two goals), he secured his nomination to the Germany under-20s, scoring twice in six appearances. This year, the son of a German mother and American father decided to represent the USA. He made his debut during the Gold Cup, featuring five times during the tournament before losing out in the final to Mexico.