1. FC Köln are set to review the future of defender Rav van den Berg by the upcoming winter break, with a potential January move on the cards for the player who has yet to feature this season. Sporting director Thomas Kessler confirmed the club’s intention to assess the situation of the 22-year-old, who joined Köln for €8 million in the summer of 2025 from Middlesbrough.
Van den Berg’s time at the German club has not gone as planned since his arrival. Despite the significant transfer fee, he has not played a single minute of football this season. Adding to his challenges, the Dutch defender is currently sidelined with a muscle injury.
Uncertain Future at Köln
Kessler acknowledged the difficulties faced by both the player and the club regarding his integration. “So far, things haven’t gone as either side had hoped,” Kessler told Bild. He emphasised the need for patience but also set a clear timeline for a decision.
“We shouldn’t make any hasty decisions after just a few matchdays. For now, the priority is for Rav to continue working on himself, impress in training and take his chances when they come,” Kessler added. However, the sporting director made it clear that the current situation cannot continue indefinitely.
“If there is no fundamental change in his sporting situation by the winter break, we will of course sit down with him and his agency and have an open discussion about which path forward makes the most sense for everyone involved,” Kessler stated.
Competition and Next Steps
Van den Berg faces stiff competition for a place in the Köln defence. Players such as Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Luka Lochoshvili, and Joel Schmied are currently ahead of him in the pecking order, further limiting his opportunities to break into the first team.
Should his situation not improve by the winter break, reports suggest that van den Berg could leave 1. FC Köln on either a loan deal or a permanent transfer in January. This would mark a swift end or pause to his spell at the club, less than two years after his high-profile move from Middlesbrough.