Yes – we are the official international scouting partners of FC Köln, one of the largest soccer clubs with over 140,000 members, competing in the German Bundesliga.

In North America, soccer pathways (especially after college) are uncertain and limited. Europe offers an established league pyramid – from amateur to fully professional – all connected in one system.

The women’s game is growing fast, and European clubs, including FC Köln, are actively scouting and developing top talent from around the world.

The main goal of the FC Köln International Talent Pathway (ITP) is to identify and develop top female players (ages 18-24) who aspire to break into the European football market.

This program is designed for the 1% of players who want to live the pro lifestyle, step into Europe, and challenge themselves in a Bundesliga city – supported by NCAA coaches, FIFA-licensed agents, and Bundesliga clubs.

Program Highlights (1–3 months):

• Daily training with FC Köln staff inside the Bundesliga club environment
• Basic German language intensive classes
• Full physical and technical assessments
• Matches and tryouts
• Exposure to Bundesliga and FIFA-licensed scouts, as well as U.S. college and club recruiters

True Bundesliga Club Experience:

This is not a satellite program or affiliate academy. Players work directly with the club’s coaches, analysts, and medical staff within FC Köln’s professional infrastructure. Roster spots are limited and highly competitive, carrying the responsibility of representing the club.

Career Pathways:

While the ambition is to prepare players for the Bundesliga first team (1st division) or reserves (3rd division), the level of competition is very high. FC Köln and Warubi Sports also partners with clubs across the 1st to 5th divisions in Germany and neighboring countries, opening multiple pathways.

Education Options:

Players can continue their education alongside football through Bachelor’s and Master’s programs or pursue UEFA coaching licenses. The #1 ranked Sport Science University in Germany (and #17 globally) is located directly on the FC Köln stadium campus.

Recruiting can take anywhere from 1 to 9 months, depending on the current roster and available openings.

We recommend starting the process as early as possible to allow enough time for visa, language preparation, and admission.

After applying through our website, our scouts – together with European scouts – will review applications and select players with strong developmental potential.

Which age groups will be recruited?
The program is designed for players ages 18–24 and is best suited for three main groups:

• College Graduates (21+)
  Former college soccer players seeking professional or semi-professional opportunities, with the option to continue their education online or begin a career within the football industry.
• College or (Semi-)Pro Players (20+)
  Players with experience in college soccer or the semi-pro/professional game who want exposure for potential transfers to higher-level teams, with or without continuing their degree online.
• Gap Year Players (18–20)
  Players who have completed high school and want to gain exposure, improve their recruiting profile, and build highlight videos to pursue semi-pro, professional, or college soccer opportunities.

Season 25/26

1 Month – 5,500 EUR
3 Months – 14,000 EUR

Included in both options:

• Official FC Köln Invitation Letter
• Visa application support
• Performance assessment and athletic testing
• 5 training sessions per week
• Video analysis
• Full FC Köln training and game day gear
• 2-4 games per month (depending on length of stay)
• Stadium tour
• Tickets for selected Bundesliga home games
• Full room & board (accommodation and food)
• Access to public transportation
• Access to gym, swimming, and wellness facilities
• Language school (2–3 days per week)
• Personal performance report
• Health, accident, and liability insurance
• Access to 1. FC Köln’s sports medicine specialists

Not included:

• Travel to and from Germany

Yes. The club offers limited scholarships, which may be distributed across the squad.

Players are evaluated based on their athletic and academic ability, character, and financial need.

Payment plans are also available upon request.

We recommend applying early to secure access to scholarships and flexible payment options.

Cologne is located in Europe’s most densely populated soccer region:

• Over 4,200 German clubs within a 2.5-hour drive
• Close access to the Netherlands and Belgium (about 3 hours away)
• Surrounded by powerhouse clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, FC Köln, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Schalke 04, Bochum, Duisburg, and Fortuna Köln

This concentration of elite clubs creates one of the best environments in the world for young players to train, compete, and be scouted.

Training takes place right next to FC Köln’s home ground, the RheinEnergieStadion.

Yes. Our admissions team provides full support with the visa process and ensures players are enrolled in the required German language classes.