Confirmed: Borna Sosa joins Köln on loan from Crystal Palace

September 2, 2026 - 02:37

Former VfB Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa is officially back in German top-flight football. The 27-year-old Croatian international has joined 1. FC Köln on a loan deal from Premier League side Crystal Palace, with the agreement running until the end of the current season.

Köln confirmed the move on Tuesday, bringing in the left-back as they push to climb the Bundesliga table. Sosa previously spent five years at Stuttgart, where he made a name for himself as one of the league's most attack-minded full-backs before moving to England in 2023.

"We are really pleased that Borna will be wearing our colors," said Köln's sporting director in a statement. "He knows the Bundesliga very well, has international experience, and his style of play fits perfectly with what we want to see from our full-backs. He will add quality and depth to our squad immediately."

Sosa's time at Crystal Palace was limited, with the Croatian struggling to secure a regular starting spot under the club's management. The loan move gives him the chance to revive his career in familiar surroundings, where he previously impressed with his crossing ability and energetic runs down the left flank.

For Köln, the signing addresses a clear need for more creativity from wide areas. The club has struggled to break down deep-lying defenses this season, and Sosa's delivery from the left is expected to provide a new dimension to their attacking play.

The defender is expected to join his new teammates in training immediately and could be in contention for selection as early as this weekend's match. Köln fans will be hoping that Sosa can recapture the form that made him one of the most exciting full-backs in the Bundesliga during his time in Stuttgart.