1. FC Köln have signed a new centre-back. Rav van den Berg has arrived from Middlesbrough and signed a long-term deal with FC until 2030.
“We had Rav on our list for a long time and are really pleased that he has decided to join 1. FC Köln. We are convinced that he will help us with his quality. Despite his young age, Rav has a lot of valuable experience from the Championship. He is strong, athletic and is good in the tackle as well as playing out from the back. With his profile, he will give our backline increased stability and flexibility,” said Sporting Director Thomas Kessler.
“I am really looking forward to taking the next big step in my career – and that is for 1. FC Köln. Thomas Kessler played a big role in my decision to join FC. From the very start, he gave me the feeling that the club absolutely wants to have me play here. I believe that the FC family is an environment that fits me well. It might sound somewhat cliché, but I need that, and I can’t wait to play in front of the FC fans for the first time and give everything for them,” said Rav van den Berg.
Rav van den Berg was born on 7th July 2004 in Zwolle, Netherlands. The centre-back went through the academy at PEC Zwolle, where he made his Eredivisie debut at the age of just 16 in 2021. In the following season, he featured another 10 times in the top-flight. Zwolle were relegated to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and van den Berg made 17 appearances before joining Middlesbrough in the Championship. In his first campaign at the club, he was voted Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season (34 appearances, one goal). Last season, he made 27 appearances.