Cenk Özkacar

At 25, Turkish centre-back Cenk Özkacar finds himself in the heart of 1.FC Köln's defence during a season of mixed fortunes. With Köln sitting 12th in the table and navigating an inconsistent run of form—evidenced by their stop-start LWLW pattern—Özkacar's role becomes increasingly pivotal as the Billy Goats seek defensive stability. Valued at €2 million, the Turkish international brings composure and physical presence to a backline that has shown flashes of resilience but struggled for consistency. Operating alongside fellow centre-backs Rav van den Berg and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Özkacar competes for minutes in a squad looking to climb clear of mid-table mediocrity. While detailed season statistics remain limited, his continued presence in the matchday setup suggests he remains part of manager's plans as Köln aim to string together the kind of defensive performances that could propel them up the standings. For a player in his prime years, this campaign represents an opportunity to establish himself as a cornerstone of Köln's defensive unit.