Headline: Thijs Dallinga Joins FC Koln on Loan from Bologna
FC Koln has officially announced the signing of Thijs Dallinga, who has joined the Bundesliga club from Bologna on a season-long loan that includes an option to purchase. The 26-year-old Dutch striker will aim to boost Koln’s attacking power after a challenging stint at Bologna, where he struggled to find the back of the net.
If Dallinga performs well during his loan, the final transfer fee is set at 10 million euros. The Dutch forward has an impressive track record, having transitioned through the Eredivisie and its second tier, initially joining FC Groningen via Emmen. His breakout season came with Excelsior, where he netted 32 goals in 37 matches in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.
Dallinga’s journey continued at Toulouse, where he scored 37 goals in 86 appearances across all competitions. He made the move to Bologna in July 2024, but his progress was hindered; he managed only three goals in his first season in Serie A and recorded one fewer in the following campaign. Now, he receives a fresh opportunity at Koln, who finished 14th in the league last season.
Director Thomas Kessler expressed his enthusiasm about Dallinga’s arrival, stating, “We are very pleased that Thijs has chosen to join the club. He is a striker we have been keeping an eye on for a while and who possesses many of the qualities we were looking for in our attack.”
Kessler further highlighted Dallinga’s strengths, noting that he is effective in the penalty area, moves well in front of goal, and works hard defensively. His experience in various top European leagues adds depth and competition to the squad.
Dallinga shared his excitement about joining the club, saying, “I had very good conversations with coach Rene Wagner, who convinced me that coming to Cologne was the right decision. FC Koln is truly a great club with great fans – and I have always wanted to play in the Bundesliga, so I am really looking forward to it. I want to score as many goals as possible to help the club achieve its goals.”
Thijs Dallinga has swapped Bologna for FC Koln with a season-long loan deal that includes an option to buy.
The 26-year-old Dutch striker’s signing has been announced by the Bundesliga club, where it is also reported that the final fee will be 10 million euros if the loan stint goes well.
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Dallinga began with experience in the Eredivisie and second tier, joining FC Groningen via Emmen. However, it was at Excelsior where he really made a name for himself – registering 32 goals in 37 Keuken Kampioen Divisie outings.
He then joined Toulouse in the summer of 2022, scoring 37 goals in 86 games in all competitions. Dallinga then signed for Bologna in July 2024, yet that’s where progress unfortunately stalled.
In his first Serie A season, the Groningen native scored just three goals. In the 2025-26 league campaign, he recorded one less. Now, the once-capped Netherlands international gets a fresh chance at Koln, who finished 14th last term.
“We are very pleased that Thijs has chosen to join the club,” said Director Thomas Kessler. “He is a striker we have been keeping an eye on for a while and who possesses many of the qualities we were looking for in our attack.
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“Thijs is strong in the penalty area, moves well in front of goal, and works hard in defence. With his experience in various top leagues in Europe and his profile, he expands our attacking options and provides extra quality and more competition within the squad.”
“I had very good conversations with coach Rene Wagner, who convinced me that coming to Cologne was the right decision,” explained Dallinga. “FC Koln is truly a great club with great fans – and I have always wanted to play in the Bundesliga, so I am really looking forward to it. I want to score as many goals as possible to help the club achieve its goals.”
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