Goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler returns to 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln has signed a prominent backup for regular goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe: World Champion Ron-Robert Zieler returns to the Geißbockheim from Hannover 96.
As the club announced on Monday evening, Zieler signed a two-year contract with the Billy Goats. "A brilliant coup," as coach Lukas Kwasniok called it at the start of training this morning. After all, the FC now has "the two best goalkeepers of the last second division season" in its squad.
Change despite contract extensionJust in January, Zieler extended his contract with Hannover until 2026, with the transfer fee reportedly around €200,000. "There's a major upheaval this summer. I've given it a lot of thought and had many discussions with those responsible," Zieler is quoted as saying in the 96ers' press release: "Now the club has the opportunity to make a truly clear and consistent break – also with regard to the hierarchy within the team."
The 36-year-old explained that he "felt a great deal of appreciation at FC right from the start." Furthermore, the club "showed me a clear perspective for the time after my playing career." For him, this was "the final step in reaching this well-considered decision." But the goalkeeper is far from thinking about retiring. At his "hometown club," he wants to "give everything he can for at least two more years to ensure the team's success."
Germany, England and backZieler trained at the FC academy between 1999 and 2005 before joining Manchester United's youth system. Although he received a professional contract, he only played for the traditional English club's reserves.
Zieler has most recently been under contract with Hannover since 2019. In the past three years, the goalkeeper hasn't missed a second division match and was the most successful goalkeeper in the second division last season, conceding only 36 goals. In total, Zieler made 382 competitive appearances for the Lower Saxony club, ranking sixth among the most-capped professionals for Hannover 96.
In 2014, the Cologne native won the World Cup as a second-choice goalkeeper with the national team. This is his second return to Cologne: he already joined the club on loan in the 2020/2021 season.
Our sources:
- News agency SID
- Press release 1. FC Cologne
- Press release Hannover 96
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