Said El Mala extends contract at 1. FC Köln and takes over Podolski's number 10 shirt

With the contract extension, the club sends a clear signal to the competition. Sporting director Thomas Kessler expressed relief over the young star staying and spoke of an "wichtigen Baustein für die Zukunft". Coach Lukas Kwasniok had also publicly championed El Mala's retention in recent weeks.

Podolski's legacy: The number 10 shirt

Alongside the contract extension, another symbolic decision is in the offing: El Mala will wear the number 10 shirt going forward, previously belonging to legend Lukas Podolski. The shirt number had not been reassigned on a permanent basis since Podolski's departure. The club leadership sees the awarding of the number to El Mala as a deliberate gesture – the youngster is to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest Cologne players in history.

The choice of number is no coincidence. Podolski had worn the number 10 shirt for many years and had become an identification figure for the club in the process. Internationally, the striker had also drawn attention wearing the iconic number on his back. El Mala explained that he was aware of the responsibility associated with this number.

Cologne's strategy: Retain talent rather than sell

In recent transfer windows, 1. FC Köln had repeatedly struggled with the departures of young key performers. El Mala's retention is therefore also seen as a sporting-political statement. The club is increasingly focusing on developing its own talents from the youth performance centre at the Geißbockheim, the club's own training ground.

The coming weeks will see the club focused on further squad planning. Coach Kwasniok must react to the injury-related absence of midfielder Luca Waldschmidt, who will be sidelined for an extended period. In addition, the signing of an experienced centre-back is on the cards in order to stabilise the defence. El Mala is to assume a central role in attack during this phase.

Outlook: Squad planning continues

With the extension, El Mala's market value also rises significantly. His previous contract still ran until 2028; the new terms reportedly include a substantial pay rise and an extension of the term. The club hopes that tying down the player will deliver sporting continuity and improved marketing opportunities.

From the club's surroundings, it was said that negotiations had been conducted intensively but always constructively in recent weeks. Both sides – club and player's side – had had a strong interest in long-term cooperation. The final agreement was reached on Wednesday evening, and the new contract was signed on Thursday morning.

Fans of 1. FC Köln reacted predominantly positively to the news. On social media, the contract extension was seen as a much-needed signal. The awarding of the number 10 shirt to El Mala, however, did not meet with approval alone: some supporters consider the timing premature and do not yet see the young player at the level of a Podolski. Nevertheless, on Thursday evening the joy over his retention prevailed.