Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina signs for Bundesliga top tier side Koln
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| May 14, 2022
Kenyan born German midfielder Linton Maina in action [photo courtesy]
Kenyan born German midfielder Linton Maina has sealed a move to the Bundesliga after signing for FC Koln.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joins the top tier outfit from Hannover 96 which features in the Bundesliga 2.
FC Köln head-coach Steffen Baumgart confirmed the signing of Maina in their pre-match press conference ahead of their Bundesliga clash against Stuttgart and admitted that he will galvanize their attack next season.
"We are happy that he [Maina] has joined us and are looking forward to having him. We believe that he will strengthen our attack, particularly with Kainzi [Florian Kainz] on that side as well, we've two versatile players. We hope to incorporate his skills into our game," said Baumgart.
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Following an impressive season with Hannover, Maina had attracted interest from a number of top Bundesliga sides including Hertha BSC, Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig.
Maina is still eligible for Harambee Stars having never featured for the German senior side and having been born to a Kenyan father and a German mother.
Maina made his professional debut for Hannover 96 on 18 March 2018, coming on as a substitute for Marvin Bakalorz on match day 27 of the 2017–18 season of the Bundesliga in a 0–1 away loss against Borussia Dortmund.