Overview

• Özkacar joins the Bundesliga newcomers on loan until the end of the season after making 46 appearances for Valencia and overcoming a muscle injury that limited him to 12 games at Valladolid.
• The 24-year-old Turkish international brings a left-footed profile, athleticism, strong tackling and tactical intelligence to bolster Köln’s defence.
• He will compete for a starting centre-back role alongside captain Timo Hübers, likely challenging Joël Schmied while Julian Pauli remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
• Sporting director Thomas Kessler highlighted Özkacar’s ability to raise the level of competition in the back line and praised his potential for growth.
• Köln is still pursuing additional central defenders, targeting Raphael Obermair and Rav van den Berg after talks for Derrick Köhn stalled.