Ellyes Skhiri seals 1. FC Koln return on deal until 2028

Ellyes Skhiri will return to 1. FC Koln after the Bundesliga club confirmed the signing of the Tunisia international from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 31-year-old midfielder has agreed a contract running until 30 June 2028, having left Koln as a free agent in 2023.

The transfer fee is understood to be €1m. 1. FC Koln faced competition from several European clubs for Skhiri’s signature, according to sources cited by Africafoot, which first reported the move exclusively.

Skhiri joins after three seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he made 117 appearances in all competitions. His record during that period included seven goals and seven assists.

The midfielder is now set to return to a club where he previously became an important part of the team. His move back to Koln follows a difficult 2026 World Cup campaign with Tunisia.

Skhiri initially joined 1. FC Koln after developing through the Montpellier academy. During his first spell with the club, he quickly established himself as a central figure in the team’s tactical system.

Across four years wearing the Rhineland club’s shirt, he played 133 official matches and scored 20 goals. His performances made him a key presence in midfield before he departed for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023.

While at Frankfurt, Skhiri reportedly earned an annual salary of €3.4m, equivalent to 2,210,000,000 CFA francs. His current valuation on Transfermarkt is listed at €5m.

The return gives Skhiri the opportunity to work again in an environment he knows well as 1. FC Koln prepare for their next competitive fixture. The club are due to face Wurzburger Kickers in the first round of the German Cup.

According to odds published by the betting company 1xBet, 1. FC Koln are priced at 1.30 to win the match. A draw is listed at 5.50, while Wurzburger Kickers are priced at 9.00 for victory.

Skhiri’s return also marks the latest stage of a career that began in France before taking him to Germany. After coming through at Montpellier, he became an established Tunisia international and built a reputation as a dependable midfield player during his time in the Bundesliga.

His second spell at 1. FC Koln will run for four seasons, subject to the terms of the agreement confirmed by the club. The move brings him back to the side for which he made 133 official appearances and scored 20 goals, while adding an experienced player to the squad after his three-year stay in Frankfurt.