In the final game of the 2024-25 season, he was on the other side of the celebrations. Now, Ragnar Ache will be pulling on the famous red and white strip in the coming campaign. The 26-year-old forward has joined from 1. FC Kaiserslautern and signed a deal until 30th June 2029.
FC Sporting Director, Thomas Kessler said: “In the first discussions with Ragnar, I already had the feeling that he would fit well to 1. FC Köln. Both as a person and as a player. He isn’t just a very good striker but also a character that will integrate quickly into the team and improve the quality of our team up front. For our planning, it was one of central goals to fill this position. I am really pleased that we have managed to get the transfer over the line.”
Ragnar Ache said: “As the call from 1. FC Köln came, I simply thought: great! I am really happy that the move to Köln has worked out and I can’t wait to play here in the RheinEnergieSTADION. In my last game for Kaiserslautern, I was able to experience the incredible atmosphere the FC fans generate. Now, I want to be on the pitch as an FC player and, hopefully, be able to show off my celebration on a regular basis.”
Ragnar Ache was born in Frankfurt and moved to the Netherlands with his family at the age of 10. At Sparta Rotterdam, he managed to make the leap from academy to first-team football and featured 39 times, scoring seven goals. He then moved to Eintracht Frankfurt and on loan to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, before joining 1. FC Kaiserslautern two years ago. He has made 20 Bundesliga appearances (one goal) and has 88 2. Bundesliga games (41 goals) to his name to date. The former Germany under-21 international was also part of the Germany Olympic Team at the 2021 games in Tokyo.