HSV loan striker Damion Downs: From Köln's hero to MLS slacker

HSV loan striker Damion Downs, who helped Cologne achieve promotion in 2024/25 with 15 goal involvements in 29 second‑division games, has been playing on loan in Major League Soccer for St. Louis City SC since the end of June. In three appearances so far, he has been subbed on twice for one minute each, his longest spell lasted 14 minutes – still without a goal.

Hero status at 1. FC Köln

With 15 goal involvements in 29 2. Bundesliga matches, Downs was one of the great heroes of 1. FC Köln in the 2024/25 season and played a decisive role in the Rhineland club's return to the Bundesliga. This record attracted interest from other clubs.

In the summer after the promotion, he transferred for eight million euros to FC Southampton in England. There he remained goalless in 14 appearances, which quickly led to disappointment at the club.

At the start of the year he was sent on loan to Hamburger SV. In Hamburg as well, he failed to score in 12 appearances, so the hoped‑for success story from Cologne could not be continued.

MLS loan period and prospects

At the end of June the 22‑year‑old US international returned to the United States, where he is deployed at St. Louis City SC under coach Yoan Damet. Beside him, the Brazilian Rafael Navarro fights for the striker’s spot – he has already scored 14 goals in 25 MLS matches and provided three assists.

In the attacking talent centre, Downs also stands alongside former Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki. His market value has halved to four million euros within a year, yet he remains, according to Matt Watson/GettyImages, the third‑most valuable player in the squad.

Whether Downs will receive more minutes and chances in the future remains unclear. The contrast between his hero status in Cologne and the short appearances in MLS highlights how volatile a career in professional football can be.