1.FC Köln director Christian Keller has confirmed that Julian Chabot will leave the club to achieve “his childhood dream of playing in the Champions League.” (via kicker).
Chabot has a release clause of around €4m and he has recently been linked with a move to VfB Stuttgart, as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of their Champions League campaign next season. So it can be assumed that he will be moving to the MHP Arena.
Earlier, the 26-year-old had announced his departure on Instagram. Keller’s full statement on the matter says: “We had very good conversations with Jeff and wanted to keep him after his strong season, in which he developed into a great sporting support and recognized leadership player. It speaks for Jeff that he has thought for a very long and seriously about staying in the league.” Keller added: ‘He decided for a change and thus for his childhood dream of playing in the Champions League.” Köln believes that Chabot has earned the opportunity to play in Europe’s premier competition.
Chabot will likely be an alternative option to Dan-Axel Zagadou who has been out for the majority of the second half of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury. The 24-year-old is also expected back in October, so Stuttgart will need numbers in defence as they compete on three fronts.
While for Köln the money will be good to back as they are unable to reinvest it this summer due to a transfer ban. This upcoming season in the 2.Bundesliga could be a good opportunity to give young players a chance, similar to how Hertha Berlin have operated since relegation a year ago.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
