Done Deal: Ghana World Cup star Gideon Mensah agrees Koln move until 2029

1. FC Köln have secured their second major defensive signing of the summer after reaching a full agreement with Ghana international Gideon Mensah, who will join the Bundesliga club on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old left-back is scheduled to undergo his medical on Friday before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract that will keep him at the RheinEnergieStadion until June 30, 2029.

Mensah arrives as a free agent after his contract with French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre expired at the end of June.The Ghanaian had been a key figure for Auxerre last season, making 30 appearances and playing a major role in securing the club’s top-flight survival with consistently strong defensive displays.

The deal brings an end to weeks of negotiations, which were temporarily paused during the World Cup as Mensah focused entirely on Ghana’s campaign.The Black Stars reached the Round of 32 in North America before being eliminated 1-0 by Colombia, with Mensah playing every minute of his country’s tournament.His performances on the global stage — where he averaged 5.7 clearances per game — attracted interest from multiple clubs, including Schalke 04 and several Turkish sides.

For Köln, Mensah’s arrival solves a long-standing problem position. The club had struggled to find a consistent solution at left-back last season, with Kristoffer Lund failing to meet expectations before returning to Palermo following his loan spell.Mensah is viewed as an immediate starter under head coach René Wagner, bringing much-needed stability and experience to a young Kölner defence.

With 44 caps for Ghana and 108 Ligue 1 appearances to his name, the 27-year-old offers a wealth of experience.He is equally comfortable operating as a traditional left-back in a back four or as a wing-back in a three-man defensive system,and his combination of outstanding tackling ability and explosive pace will add significant power to Köln’s flanks alongside right-sided option Castro-Montes.

Mensah becomes Köln’s second external signing of the summer window, following the arrival of Georgian defender Luka Lochoshvili last week.Sporting director Thomas Kessler is now expected to shift focus to further reinforcements as the club builds towards the new Bundesliga season.

The only minor complication is that Mensah — having featured deep into the World Cup — is unlikely to report for training immediately after signing and will be granted a short break before integrating with his new teammates.

Barring any surprises during Friday’s medical, the official announcement is expected to follow swiftly.