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Classy gesture from FC Köln stars

By Zack Nelson

STUTTGART, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 04: Ole Selnaes of Norway, Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Leon Goretzka of Germany during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Norway at Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 4, 2017 in Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 04: Ole Selnaes of Norway, Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Leon Goretzka of Germany during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Norway at Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 4, 2017 in Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images) /
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Perhaps loyalty does still exist in football after all.

This week, FC Köln’s Timo Horn and Jonas Hector proved that a hint of loyalty still exists in football by committing their futures to the German club, even though they’ve been all but relegated for next season.

The news was pretty surprising, considering both Horn and Hector are talented enough to play for a Champions League level side, but they’ve bypassed the fame and the paycheck to help the club  which they’ve given most of their careers to get back to the Bundesliga.

Timo Horn joined Köln’s youth academy when he was just 9 years old and has been at the club ever since, while Hector joined their reserve side back in 2010. The club has sentimental value to both players, and they are looking to give something back to the fans, who have been through a lot.

The statements from both players were top-class as well, with Timo Horn saying,

"“FC is my club and Cologne is my home… Despite a difficult season, FC has managed to create an excellent situation for the upcoming season and has ambitious goals. That is very important for me. I will do my best to put us back on the path to success.” – Timo Horn"

COLOGNE, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 23: Goalkeeper, Timo Horn of Koeln in action during the UEFA Europa League group H match between 1. FC Koeln and Arsenal FC at RheinEnergieStadion on November 23, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 23: Goalkeeper, Timo Horn of Koeln in action during the UEFA Europa League group H match between 1. FC Koeln and Arsenal FC at RheinEnergieStadion on November 23, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

Jonas Hector also made his feelings known by saying,

"““FC Köln allowed me to take the path from the regional league (fourth division) to the German national team. I am very connected and thankful to this club and feel very comfortable living in Cologne. It would have been no problem for me to switch to another club after this season, but it would not have felt right. We had many talks in the past few weeks and I had enough time to think about it. The decision for me is clear: I belong to FC and I want to go into the new season with this team and with these fans.” – Jonas Hector"

This isn’t the first time a star player remained loyal to FC Köln either. Lukas Podolski also remained with the club after they were relegated in 2004, helping them earn back promotion the following season.

When you consider the club’s appearance in the Europa League this year, it seems surreal that they will be playing in the second tier of German football, but that’s just football.

By keeping Hector and Horn, and with some solid young pieces in already in place, FC Köln’s stay in the 2. Bundesliga shouldn’t be a very long one.

Next: Kevin De Bruyne should have won the PFA player of the year award

Do you think FC Köln will manage to climb straight back up to the Bundesliga?

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