1. FC Köln and Leipzig have agreed upon a transfer for Max Finkgräfe. The 21-year-old left-back signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side on Wednesday evening.
“Max signalled to us in open and transparent talks that he did not want to extend his contract at 1. FC Köln. After a phase where he had injury problems in the academy, he underwent a very positive development in the first-team and made himself a Bundesliga player. We could have well imagined continuing the path we were on with Max, who made big steps both professionally and personally in the past years. Unfortunately, due to the fact that he turned that down, it was clear to us that we would look to let Max go for a transfer sum that we deemed appropriate. We managed to find a satisfying solution for both sides. We want to thank Max for his time and his efforts at FC – and wish him all the best for the rest of his career,” said FC Sporting Director, Thomas Kessler.
“The last four years at FC were very special for me. I want to thank everyone at FC, those in charge, my team-mates and the staff who were with me on my way here. I will never forget my time here, the city and the club will always be part of me. Goodbye, FC,” said Max Finkgräfe.
Max Finkgräfe joined the FC academy in summer 2021 from SG Unterrath. Finkgräfe had left the normal path to becoming a professional after going through the academies at Fortuna Düsseldorf, Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. After strong performances in the U17-Bundesliga West for Unterrath in the 2020-21 season, he took on the charge once more at FC. In the 2022-23 campaign, he won the U19 DFB-Pokal. In the following season, he made the step up to the first-team and made his debut on the first day of the season against Borussia Dortmund. 24 Bundesliga games followed, including a wonderful free-kick against Hoffenheim for his first top-flight goal. In the previous season, he made 14 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga.