Ghana international Gideon Mensah has said an emotional goodbye to AJ Auxerre after four years with the French club. He is now close to joining Bundesliga team FC Köln.
The 27-year-old is leaving Auxerre as a free agent after his contract ended. During his time at the club, he became known as one of their most reliable players.
Since joining Auxerre, Mensah played 108 games in all competitions, provided four assists, and was important in helping the club get promoted to Ligue 1 and stay in the top division.
In a heartfelt message on social media, the Black Stars left-back thanked everyone at the club for their support during his time in France.
“After four unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye. I leave this club with a heart full of gratitude. Wearing this jersey has been a real honor, and I have always given my all for this badge.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff, and everyone working behind the scenes, thank you for your trust, support, and for helping me grow both as a player and as a person. To the supporters, thank you for standing by me from day one.
“Your passion, loyalty, and unwavering support made every moment even more special. I will always cherish the memories we created together.
“As I begin a new chapter, I leave with nothing but respect, appreciation and love for this club. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for four incredible years. This is not goodbye, it’s see you soon.”
Mensah is leaving as he gets ready to start a new chapter in Germany with FC Köln.
The Bundesliga club acted quickly to sign the Ghanaian defender after his strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was one of the Black Stars’ top players, even though the team exited in the Round of 32.
The former WAFA academy player has already gone to Germany and is expected to have a medical before signing a four-year contract with Köln, which will last until June 2029.
Köln view Mensah as an important signing to boost their defense for the new Bundesliga season. His speed, solid defending, attacking ability, and experience made him a top target for the club this summer.
He is expected to bring both skill and leadership to the team. He has played top-level football in France and Austria and has also appeared in European competitions with Red Bull Salzburg.
For Ghana, Mensah has become the first-choice left-back, earning 44 senior caps since his debut in 2019. He has played at several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and was a key player for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Moving to FC Köln is another big step in Mensah’s career as he gets ready to play in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
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