Christian Clemens signs for 1. FC Köln and will strengthen Peter Stöger’s squad starting in January 2017.

1. FC Köln have signed Christian Clemens. The 25-year-old attacking winger transfers from Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05 to 1. FC Köln. The Cologne-born player was part of the FC squad from 2001 to 2013, at which point he transferred to FC Schalke 04. Christian Clemens has signed a contract with 1. FC Köln until 30 June 2021.

“Christian is a player with dynamism and speed, who can help us on our wing positions. He is a kid from Cologne, so we do not expect him to need much time to acclimate. He is a player that managed to make the jump from academy product to professional here at 1. FC Köln,” said Peter Stöger.

“I did not need to think about it much when FC came asking. I have so many positive memories with 1. FC Köln. This makes it all the more special to return and to play a successful season with this team. That the first match after the winter break happens to be against Mainz is a bit strange, but of course it cannot be changed,” said Christian Clemens.

Clemens was brought up in the 1. FC Köln academy since 2001. He made his Bundesliga debut for FC on 12 September 2010 in a 1-0 home win against FC St. Pauli. In total Clemens made 96 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga appearances for 1. FC Köln in which he scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists. He then transferred to FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2013 when FC had to make critical economic decisions. He has been a player of Mainz since January 2015. The former German youth international has experience playing for Schalke in the Champions League and for Mainz in the Europa League.