Number 14 legacy: Gideon Mensah tasked with fixing Köln’s left‑back

Number 14 arrives at 1. FC Köln as Ghana left‑back Gideon Mensah, 28, signs on a free transfer from AJ Auxerre this summer, taking the historic shirt after Jonas Hector’s retirement and aiming to stabilise a defence that has struggled on the left side.

Mensah joined Köln on a free transfer and was granted the historic No. 14 shirt after club legend Jonas Hector gave his blessing, a number long associated with Hector and carrying significant symbolic weight at the club.

René Wagner expects Mensah to compete for a starting role on the left side of his defence, believing the Ghana international can provide the solidity the back line has lacked since Hector’s retirement.

The defender arrived at Köln’s Kitzbühel training camp on Tuesday after three weeks of leave following the World Cup, marking the first addition to the squad in the pre‑season period.

A persistent infection limited him to an individual programme during his first days back, but he managed to complete part of Wednesday’s session with his new teammates while the medical staff monitored his progress closely.

Mensah brings considerable experience, having earned 44 senior caps for Ghana and previously playing for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria; he is also multilingual, speaking English, Portuguese, French and German.

“I know that it’s a historic number for the club,” Mensah said. “When I asked for it, I was told that they first had to speak with a player. When you arrive as a new player and wear the No. 14, you have a major responsibility. I’m ready for it.”

He added, “What I’ve seen from them is something I’m especially looking forward to. They’ll push us even more.” Mensah will now aim to address the left‑back position that has remained problematic for Köln while battling for a spot in Wagner’s lineup and working to regain full fitness ahead of the upcoming pre‑season matches.