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Pacarada on his departure from FC Köln: The change was inevitable!
Leart Pacarada is moving to Heidenheim after two years at 1. FC Köln and is optimistic about the Bundesliga season.
Pacarada on his departure from FC Köln: The change was inevitable!
Leart Pacarada, the 30-year-old professional footballer, is happily drawing a line under his chapter at 1. FC Köln and is now starting at 1. FC Heidenheim. The promoted player from FC, who played in 31 games last season and gave eight preparatory passes, is leaving FC after two exciting seasons in both the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. Express reports that he no longer saw any sporting prospects in Cologne after he was relegated to the second tier by coach Lukas Kwasniok.
He felt increasingly left out in the city at the top of the sport. He, along with Imad Rondic and Jacob Christensen, were no longer allowed to train with the team since mid-August and from then on completed individual units under assistant coaches. Social media also reflected this change, Pacarada removed FC Köln from his Instagram profile and prepared his departure to Heidenheim. This ultimately happened quite quickly: a week after he was booted out, the talented player signed with the Bundesliga club Heidenheim until 2027.
A new beginning at 1. FC Heidenheim
Pacarada felt well received after moving to Heidenheim. “It was unavoidable to leave FC,” he said in an interview and was happy about the quick solution. “I want to attack again in Heidenheim and survive in the Bundesliga.” So he looks optimistically towards the future and takes advantage of the opportunity for a new start.
Sports director Thomas Kessler from 1. FC Köln expressed gratitude for the player's efforts, especially during the promotion, and admits that it would have been difficult for Pacarada to find a role in the team in the new season. So it was a mutual decision that benefits both sides, especially after the record four assists in a half against Karlsruher SC in September 2024.
Discussion and contribution to the team
An interesting detail: When he moved, there were discussions about the pronunciation and spelling of his last name. In Heidenheim he will wear the “Paçarada” version on his jersey, while his correct pronunciation is “Patscharada”. But he is also satisfied with the catchy variant “Pakarada”.
Pacarada looks back on a successful time at FC Cologne despite the circumstances. He came on a free transfer from FC St. Pauli in the summer of 2023 and can be proud of having become second division champions with FC, and the fans honored him as Player of the Month.
Now it's time to approach the new challenge in Heidenheim with the same passion and use it as a springboard for his upcoming successes. The man from Kosovo will definitely gain a foothold, because as we all know: If anyone has a good hand, it's him.