Gideon Mensah receives Jonas Hector’s blessing to wear Köln’s No. 14 shirt

Gideon Mensah receives Jonas Hector’s blessing to wear Köln’s No. 14 shirt New 1. FC Köln left-back Gideon Mensah has revealed that club legend Jonas Hector approved his request to wear the historically significant No. 14 shirt. The 28-year-old joined Köln on a free transfer from AJ Auxerre this summer and is expected to compete for a starting role on the left side of René Wagner’s defense. Mensah arrived at the club’s Kitzbühel training camp on Tuesday following three weeks of leave after the World Cup. A persistent infection restricted him to an individual programme during his first days back, though the Ghana international was able to complete part of Wednesday’s session with his new teammates. The defender brings considerable experience to his new Bundesliga side. Mensah has earned 44 senior caps for Ghana and previously spent time in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg. He also speaks English, Portuguese, French and German. Gideon Mensah accepts responsibility for Jonas Hector’s No. 14 Mensah will attempt to address a position that has remained problematic for Köln since Hector’s retirement. The new arrival has also taken over the former German international’s famous No. 14 shirt. Much like Tom Bischof when he inherited Leon Goretzka’s No. 8 at Bayern Munich , Mensah first had to wait for the number’s previous owner to give his approval. “I know that it’s a historic number for the club,” Mensah told Kicker . “When I asked for it, I was told that they first had to speak with a player. When you arrive as a new player and wear the No. 14, you have a major responsibility. I’m ready for it.” He is also eager to play in front of the club’s supporters. “What I’ve seen from them is something I’m especially looking forward to,” Mensah said. “They’ll push us even more.” GGFN  |  Peter Weis