Rot-Weiss Köln have announced a series of changes to their line-up for next season with Blake Govers and Paul Glander joining the club while Mats Grambusch and Johannes Grosse will move on.
Govers, 27, will link up with the side after the Olympic Games, embracing a new experience having previously played in Europe with Wimbledon, Bloemendaal and Dragons.
“After my experiences in the Netherlands and Belgium, I wanted to take the opportunity to get to know the German Bundesliga,” he said of the move.
“ There was only one address for me in Germany. I am happy to be part of this club and hope to be able to build on the successful times of recent years.”
In addition to Govers, top German talent and U-21 world champion Paul Glander (18) is also moving to the cathedral city, switching from Harvestehuder THC.
The youngster said: “Red-Weiss is the ideal opportunity for me to ideally shape my personal development, both athletically and professionally.
“I’m looking forward to learning from the experienced boys around Tom Grambusch and at the same time having the chance to form the new generation of this successful team with the Rot-Weiss boys from the U-21 national team.”
Rot-Weiss’s Timo Wess added: “With Blake and Paul, we are continuing the change that we have been driving forward in recent years. Blake will help the young team around the Under-21 world champions and also strong players from their own youth to take responsibility and enrich every training and game with his extraordinary strength and mentality.
“With Paul, we are getting one of Germany’s top talents and therefore the ideal addition to the young team. He has what it takes to take on a leadership role here in the coming years and help shape the next generation.”
On the flip side, long-time captain Mats Grambusch and Johannes Große are leaving Rot-Weiss Cologne after the Olympic Games in Paris.
Grambusch is moving to his home club in Gladbach; he said of the move: “It was always clear to me that I wanted to end my career at GHTC.
“I have a lot to thank the Rot-Weiss for, I played here for 11 years and I’m proud to still lead this team. But before I join the GHTC, I definitely want to win two more titles with my team.”
He won the EHL with the club in 2017 and was the German captain for last year’s World Cup in India. He will hope to lead the club to another EHL success later this month in the Wagener Stadium.
Große, meanwhile, will go to Club an der Alster: “My girlfriend and I have decided to spend our future in Hamburg. I am grateful for my time in Cologne and am looking forward to being able to play for Alster again in the summer.”
Wess paid tribute to the two key men: “With Mats and Jojo, two absolute top players and personalities are leaving our club. Both boys have shaped the successful times of the last few years.
“Of course, we are sad that the boys will no longer play for us next season, but we are already very grateful. But first we still have half a season ahead of us with big goals before we can say goodbye to both of them properly.”
