Köln striker Steffen Tigges’ sale to Paderborn has been officially confirmed. The former Dortmund academy man heads back to the 2. Bundesliga on a €400,000 transfer. Tigges signed a two-year-contract with the East Westphalians on Wednesday. The 27-year-old will not receive a chance to represent die Geißböcke in the German top flight despite the fact that he has plenty of Bundesliga experience.
Tigges has scored 12 top division goals in 70 Bundesliga appearances with Köln and Dortmund. The Osnabrück-native famously broke through to the BVB senior ranks in then Dortmund interim head coach Edin Terzic’s first Pokal fixture in December of 2020. Tigges would net three top flight goals under Marco Rose the following year.
After Köln signed him for €1.5m in the summer of 2022, Tigges turned in the most successful season of his career during the 2022/23 campaign. Seven goals and three assists saw him raise his estimated market value up to a career high €3.5m. After a problematic 2023/24 cycle during which he was often left out of the matchday squad, Tigges at least scored goals in Köln’s last two matches in the first division.
Tigges barely featured at all for the Effzeh in the second division last season, failing to get his name on the scoresheet in 18 appearances across all competitions. Among a cohort of three strikers Köln considered expendable, new head coach Lukas Kwasniok at least gave Tigges a trial on the left wing during the pre-season.
The signing of USMNT international Kristoffer Lund made plain the fact that Tigges’ audition at this position didn’t work out. Club sporting director Thomas Kessler made certain to credit Tigges for attempting to be a team player by giving the role a shot in his departing statement.
“We spoke very openly with Steffen about his sporting prospects before the season,” Kessler noted in a club statement. “It was clear to everyone involved that his chances of regular playing time in the Bundesliga would be significantly reduced. Regardless of this, Tiggi worked exemplarily in pre-season and also fully committed himself in a role that was unfamiliar to him. Throughout his time at FC, he has always put the team first and his attitude has made him an important part of our team, both on and off the pitch. He deserves great respect and a big thank you for that.“
“I would like to thank 1. FC Köln for my time there,” Tigges himself added. “We had some great moments, but we also had to go through some difficult times. This period has shaped me. FC Köln is a special club for me and I wish them all the best for the future. I have now made a conscious decision to take this step and am looking forward to my new challenge at SC Paderborn.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
