1. FC Köln have extended the contracts of Malek and Said El Mala until 2030.
“We are really pleased that we could show Malek and Said, alongside their family, a very clear perspective and convince them that FC is the right partner going forward to develop both in a sporting and personal sense and to take their first steps in the Bundesliga long-term. Both brothers have a huge amount of potential. Our job is to aid that development in a targeted manner. For Malek, it’s about getting regular game time in the under-21s and gaining confidence and stability following his injury at the end of last season. Said developed into one of the best players in the 3. Liga last season with Viktoria, played a very impressive under-19 European Championship and was able to showcase what he can do. This is a result of our fantastic cooperation with Viktoria Köln, for which we are very thankful. We believe that Said can make the direct step up to the Bundesliga and we will closely follow him on his path to support him as best we can,” said Sporting Director, Thomas Kessler.
Said El Mala will start pre-season today, flying with the first-team to the training camp in Steiermark after a holiday following the under-19 European Championship.
“The break was good. Due to the fact that I speak to Malek all the time, it was difficult just to watch along. I’m really happy that things are now getting started with FC. In the discussions with those responsible at the club, I once again felt a huge amount of trust and I want to pay that back. The past season gave me a real push and I was able to gain a lot of confidence, I worked hard for that and now want to take the next step in the Bundesliga with FC,” said Said El Mala.
Malek El Mala will train with the under-21s and gain valuable minutes in the Regionalliga West. Next week, the league starts with an away game against 1. FC Bocholt.
“With my injury at the end of last season, it was to be expected that the paths that Said and I are on will go apart for a while. Currently, I need to work on other things in comparison to him. What still keeps is connected is our long-term goal: we want to play in the Bundesliga, together, for FC. I will give everything to do that and want to play myself into contention as quickly as possible,” said Malek El Mala.
Malek El Mala was born on 2nd April 2005. Up until his move to Viktoria, he played as a centre-back. On the other side of the Rhein, he started along the path to becoming a striker. In the 2023-24 under-19 Bundesliga, he scored 10 goals and registered seven assists in 22 games. He made his debut for the Germany under-19s and in the 3. Liga inside the last 18 months. Up until his injury, he made 19 appearances, scoring three goals.
Said El Mala was born on 26th August 2006. The forward also played an impressive season in the under-19 Bundesliga (19 games, 11 goals, six assists) and earned the right to play for the first-team. After his debut on 21st February 2024, he made a further 10 appearances. On Matchday 31, he scored his first professional goal in the 1:0 win against VfB Lübeck. Last season, he made 32 appearances, scoring 13 goals and setting up a further five goals. He was part of the Germany under-19 side that were involved in the under-19 European Championship this summer, finishing as the tournament’s top goalscorer.