Viktoria Köln signs offensive talent Soichiro Kozuki – is the turning point coming?

Viktoria Köln signs offensive talent Soichiro Kozuki – is the turning point coming?

Viktoria Cologne has landed an exciting new addition. Soichiro Kozuki, a 24-year-old winger from Japan, is moving from 1860 Munich to the cathedral city. This makes Kozuki the third player from the lion team to move to Cologne this summer. Sporting director Stephan Küsters is enthusiastic about the new talent and recognizes in Kozuki the ability to “make the difference”.

Kozuki, who began his football career at 1. FC Düren in 2021, delivered impressive performances early on. In 11 appearances in the Middle Rhine League he scored 10 goals. After moving to Schalke 04, he also gained experience in the Bundesliga and the second division, where he appeared on the pitch a total of five times. In FC Schalke's U23 team, he impressed with 16 goals in 17 games and made an outstanding name for himself there.

Return to home

After a loan to Polish team Górnik Zabrze in the second half of the 2023/24 season, where Kozuki played 18 games, he decided to return to Viktoria in the new season. The Japanese only moved to 1860 Munich last year and showed his skills with three goals and three assists in 32 third division games. However, he was denied a big breakthrough because he was not in the squad for two of the first three games this season.

Although he demonstrated his qualities last season, he now has to make a new attempt at Viktoria Köln. At his new club he will wear number 41 and is expected to join coach Marian Wilhelm's team on Tuesday in order to optimally integrate into the team.

An important step for Victoria

Viktoria Köln fans can look forward to the first home game after the international break on Friday at 7 p.m. against Jahn Regensburg. Kozuki could take on a central role in Viktoria's offensive game and support his teammates with his flexibility and speed. Expectations are high, but Kuesters has a knack for attracting newcomers, and Kozuki could be just the piece of the puzzle the team has been missing.

Soichiro Kozuki is an exciting player with a lot of potential and the 2025/26 football season could be the setting for his further development in the third division. It remains to be seen what this exciting signing will ultimately bring for Viktoria Köln.

As can be seen from various sources, the Cologne team plays an important role in Kozuki's football career and it will be exciting to see how this new phase turns out. It is clear to the fans: the club offers a new opportunity for a talented player who finally wants to develop the potential that he has demonstrated for so long. Victoria reports that... to prepare for the match against Jahn Regensburg.