What is FC Köln ITP?

The main goal is to identify and develop top female players (ages 18–24) who aspire to break into the European football market.

During an initial 3-month period, participants train daily with FC Köln staff, take basic German language classes, complete comprehensive physical and technical assessments, and participate in matches and tryouts—all while being monitored by Bundesliga and FIFA-licensed scouts, as well as U.S. club and college recruiters.

Selected players are developed within the official infrastructure of a Bundesliga club—working directly with the club’s coaches, analysts, and medical staff. This is not a satellite program or affiliated academy, but a true in-house experience. Roster spots are limited and highly competitive, offering a unique opportunity that also carries the responsibility of representing the club.

While the ambition is to identify and prepare players for the Bundesliga first team (1st division) or the reserves (3rd division), the level of competition is extremely high. To provide additional pathways, the club also partners with teams across the 1st to 5th divisions in Germany and neighboring countries.

Players also have the option to continue their education—whether through Bachelor’s, Master’s, or UEFA licensing programs. The #1 ranked Sport Science University in Germany (and #17 globally) is located directly on the stadium campus.

How long does it take to get recruited?

Recruiting can take anywhere from one up to nine months, depending on the current roster and upcoming available roster spots.

We recommend starting as soon as possible with the process and having enough time to take care of visa, language preparation, and admission.

After applying through our website, our scouts, along with the European scouts, will select players whom they believe to have high developmental potential.

Which age groups will be recruited?

The program is primarily designed to recruit players from the age range of 18-24, and it is best suited for the following 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 new career path within the football world.
College or (Semi-) Pro Players (age 20+): Players who already have experience in either the college soccer system or the semi-pro/professional world focus on gaining exposure for potential transfers to semi-pro, professional, or college soccer teams, with or without continuing their degree online.
Gap Year Players (age 18-20): Players who have completed high school focus specifically on gaining exposure and optimizing their recruiting profile and videos to pursue opportunities in semi-pro, professional, or college soccer.

What are the costs and what is included/not included?

Season 25/26

3 months – 16,000 EUR

What is included?

Visa application support
• Performance assessment and athletic testing
• 5 training sessions per week
• Video analysis
• Full FC Cologne training and game day gear
• 2–4 games per month
• Stadium tour
• Tickets for selected Bundesliga home games
• Full room & board (accommodation and food)
• Access to public transportation
• Access to all 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 specialists for sports medicine

What is not included?

• Travel to and from Germany is not included.

Do you have financial support and payment plans available?

Yes, the club offers limited scholarships, which can be divided throughout the squad.

Players will be evaluated based on their athletic and academic abilities, character, and financial need.

Payment plans are available upon request.

We recommend applying early to check for available scholarships and payment plans.

What are the benefits of being in the area of Cologne in Germany?

Cologne is part of Europe’s most densely populated soccer region!

An impressive 4,260 German clubs within a 2.5-hour drive! Nearby countries like the Netherlands and Belgium are only about 3 hours away.

The region hosts several powerhouse football clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, FC Cologne, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bochum, Duisburg, Schalke 04, and Fortuna Cologne. These clubs fiercely compete to attract local talent, creating a nurturing environment where young players from diverse backgrounds can develop and excel.