Jhon Cordoba trades Cologne for Berlin as Hertha add firepower

The 27-year-old was the Billy Goats' leading goalscorer in 2019/20, netting 13 times to help his side steer clear of relegation trouble. Nine of those goals came in the second half of the campaign, including two in Cologne's 5-0 win at Hertha in February.

Cordoba has now returned to the capital to sign on as a Hertha player ahead of the Old Lady’s trip to face Werder Bremen on Saturday.

"Jhon has already proven himself in the Bundesliga and, in addition to his goal threat, he brings the attributes we’re looking for in attack: he's powerful, dynamic and assertive," Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz said.

The new Hertha number 15 has been brought in to compensate for the departures of veteran attackers Vedad Ibisevic and Salomon Kalou over the close season, as well as to complement the likes of Matheus Cunha, Dodi Lukebakio, and Krzysztof Piatek.

The burly forward is the capital club’s third signing ahead of the new season, following former Freiburg goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow and Dutch full-back Deyovaisio Zeefuik to the Olympiastadion. French midfielder Lucas Tousart, who joined Hertha in January but was loaned back to Lyon for the second half of the season, is another significant addition for 2020/21.

"I'm convinced of the club's potential, and want to show my quality as quickly as possible here," Cordoba said.

Watch: Cordoba scored twice against Hertha in 2019/20

The former Colombia U20 international has been playing in Germany since 2015, when he joined Mainz from Spanish side Granada. After two years with the 05ers, Cordoba - who cites Didier Drogba as a role model - moved to Cologne in the summer of 2017.

He was key to their promotion campaign in 2018/19, scoring 20 goals to help the Billy Goats win the Bundesliga 2 title.

Having helped Cologne maintain their top-flight status in 2019/20, he will how hope to help Hertha improve on their 10th-place finish from last season.