Official: 1.FC Köln agree loan deal with Sturm Graz for Gazibegovic

The Austrian-born Bosnian international has signed a loan deal with his former employers.

As announced this afternoon, 1.FC Köln and Sturm Graz have agreed on a loan deal for Jusuf Gazibegovic.

The right-back will leave the Cathedral City and returns to his former club in the Austrian Bundesliga until the end of the season

“We had a very open and fair conversation with Gazi. Since he has had limited playing time so far, he expressed a desire for a transfer in the winter.

“The loan to Graz is a very good solution: he returns to a familiar environment and gets the chance for regular playing time.

“He can gain confidence and match experience there. We wish him every success,” said FC Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler.

The 25-year-old Bosnian also gave his thoughts on returning to Graz – a club he left to move to Köln from last December. 

“After a good preseason, I naturally hoped for more playing time. However, it became clear relatively quickly after the start of the season that I wouldn’t be playing much.

“That’s just how it is sometimes in football, unfortunately. For me, it was clear that I needed to reorient myself for six months.

“Just like here [in Köln], I’ll give it my all in training every day in Graz to come back even stronger in the summer,” said Gazibegovic l.