1. FC Köln have extend Jan Thielmann’s contract until 2022.

1. FC Köln are sticking with their own youth. After Noah Katterbach and Ismail Jakobs, Jan Thielmann was also able to celebrate his Bundesliga debut with the first team. The 17-year-old made his first appearance for FC in the starting side against Bayer Leverkusen under Markus Gisdol. Now, FC have extended the deal with the attacker until 2022.

“The talents from our youth academy are our future. We want to bring them step-by-step into the first team and give them the chance to develop and establish themselves there. The good work in our academy was important for Jan, so that he could make this step in an exemplary manner. He is doing very well for his age, both as a person and physically, as well as a good understanding of the game. We trust him to play in the first-team for the long-term,” said FC managing director, Horst Heldt.

“To make the step into the first-team at FC was always a big dream of mine. I’ve worked on that since I made the move to Geißbockheim. I also know that I' still at the beginning of my career and I’m looking forward to the coming years,” said Jan Thielmann.

Jan Thielmann was born on 26th May 2002 close to Trier. He began playing football with JSG Hetzerath/Föhren/Bekond and joined Eintracht Trier in 2015. He has been with 1. FC Köln since 2017, and was crowned German champions with the under-17s this summer. On 14th December 2019, Thielmann became the first player born in 2002 to play in the Bundesliga. Since then, he has made three appearances.