Once in Austria, now a move to 1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln has secured the services of Gideon Mensah.

As the German Bundesliga club announced on Saturday, the 27-year-old left-back is moving on a free transfer from AJ Auxerre to Köln.

At "Effzeh", Mensah signs a contract until 2028.

For Ligue 1 club Auxerre, the full-back made 114 competitive appearances in the last four years. At the 2026 World Cup, he played the full duration in all four matches for Ghana.

Mensah had "various options"

"After the World Cup, I had various options. However, in discussions with the FC officials, who tried very hard to sign me, I had the best feeling from the very beginning. Additionally, there is the sporting perspective that the club outlined for me," Mensah said in an initial statement.

Effzeh Sporting Director Thomas Kessler says: "We have been following Gideon for a long time and are pleased that we were able to sign him for FC. He brings international experience, showed strong performances in France last season, and confirmed these at the World Cup."

Formerly active for Salzburg and Sturm

Mensah moved from his home country Ghana to Salzburg in 2016. He was under contract with the "Bullen" until 2022, with loan spells in between at Sturm Graz, Zulte Waregem, and Vitoria Guimaraes.

Mensah never played for Salzburg's first team, but he made 15 Bundesliga appearances for SK Sturm.