Out of favor at Hannover 96: Ron-Robert Zieler from Cologne
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The goal is to become a substitute goalkeeper in Cologne
Ron-Robert Zieler is back at 1. FC Köln. The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who became world champion in 2014 as a substitute keeper with the DFB team, is transferring to his training club for a year on loan from Hannover 96. "He has the quality and the experience that we absolutely need in this position," said Cologne's managing director Horst Heldt about the native of Cologne. In the cathedral city, Zieler is said to be the second goalkeeper to put pressure on regular keeper Timo Horn.
Zieler had only moved from VfB Stuttgart to the second division in Hanover at the beginning of the preseason, where the six-time national player experienced the most successful years of his career between 2010 and 2016. 96 coach Kenan Kocak had recently sorted out Zieler. Club boss Martin Kind Zieler publicly attacked him at the beginning of August and denied him any chance of action. In Hanover, Zieler still has a contract until 2023.
Matuidi and Beckham meet again in Miami
MLS newcomer Inter Miami has strengthened itself with Blaise Matuidi. The 33-year-old midfielder, who most recently reached an amicable agreement with Juventus to terminate his contract, is moving to Florida on a free transfer. "I couldn't be happier to welcome my friend Blaise to Inter Miami," said Miami's club president David Beckham of the transfer. At the end of his professional career in 2013, Beckham had played for six months with Matuidi at Paris Saint-Germain.
For Juventus, Matuidi, who became world champion with France in 2018, played 45 competitive games last season. In Serie A, Matuidi won the championship title with Juventus, while Matuidi was not used in the Champions League round of 16 against Olympique Lyon.
From 2011 to 2023: Bellarabi will stay with Bayer
Karim Bellarabi will stay with Bayer Leverkusen in the years to come. The 30-year-old right-winger extended his contract with the Werkself until 2023. "When he brings his high-speed football onto the pitch, he makes a difference," said Bayer's sports director Rudi Völler about the eleven-time German national player.
Bellarabi was signed in 2011 on a free transfer by Eintracht Braunschweig. Since then, the German-Moroccan, known for his tempo dribbles, has played 229 competitive games for Bayer Leverkusen, scored 50 goals and provided 59 assists.
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