Max Meyer joins Cologne

Meyer, 25, joins Cologne on a free transfer after being released by English Premier League side Crystal Palace earlier in the month. He returns to the Bundesliga after two-and-a-half years in London, having previously made 192 appearances for Schalke after coming through their Knappenschmiede academy, scoring 22 goals and providing 23 assists.

“The decisive thing for me was to be able to play. I want to take my chance at FC to show myself at a top level and help the club to stay up,” Meyer said of his signing.

“He can play in various positions across the midfield, is an intelligent player, assured on the ball and also likes to shoot. That’s what Max wants to bring to us until the end of the season and once again prove his quality in the Bundesliga,” added Cologne managing director Horst Heldt.

Meyer will wear the No.13 shirt and joins the Billy Goats with them 16th in the table, five points clear of automatic relegation and only two short of Arminia Bielefeld, who Cologne host on Sunday of Matchday 19, in guaranteed safety.