Krauß relieved to have “found the joy again” at 1.FC Köln

The midfielder told Kicker that he is adjusting nicely to life in Köln and relishing a trip home to Leipzig.

1.FC Köln midfielder and summer signing Tom Krauß expressed his happiness at the newly promoted Bundesliga club to kicker.de this week.

Despite only featuring as a substitute in two of Effzeh’s three German topflight games this far, his approach to forcing his way into the first team is a patient one.

“I’ve found the joy again here […] I want to establish myself and finally settle in at a club. That’s why I’m not going crazy just because I was on the bench twice.

“I want to settle down now. I didn’t have an easy year in England,” he said, on his time with Luton. “I wasn’t that happy at the end, and I ended up cutting it short due to family problems.”

Home may be in the Cathedral City now for the 24-year-old, but he will also return to his actual home briefly when Lukas Kwasniok’s side travel east to take on RB Leipzig next weekend.

Born in Leipzig, Krauß played for TuS Leutzsch and Sachsen Leipzig in his youth teams. From 2011 to 2020, he trained at RB Leipzig, but admits it’s a different side from those days.

“A lot has changed at the club in recent years, but I still recognize a few faces. I’m returning to my hometown; these games are very special to me. My family and friends will be there, even though I don’t see them every week,” he said.