Official: Bologna send Dallinga to FC Köln on loan with €14m option to buy
Quick summary
Bologna have officially loaned striker Thijs Dallinga to FC Köln for the 2025-26 season with a €14 million option to make the transfer permanent.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBologna have officially sent Thijs Dallinga to FC Koln on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season for what should be a total deal worth €14m.
The striker completed the transfer today with a statement from the Rossoblu confirming that there is an option to make it permanent in June 2027.
Dallinga struggled at Bologna BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Thijs Dallinga of Bologna FC competes for the ball with Mariano Troilo of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) According to various sources including the Corriere di Bologna and Sky Sport Italia, the loan will be at a cost of €1m, with the option to buy for a further €13m at the end of this season.
The Dutch centre-forward just turned 26 earlier this month and had made the move to Bologna from FC Toulouse in 2024 for €16.2m, but he never really found his feet in Serie A.
There were 12 goals and eight assists in 80 competitive games for the club, last season just five goals in 37 appearances.
Dallinga represents the last piece of the domino effect in Serie A , which started with Mateo Pellegrino going from Parma to Fiorentina, then Roberto Piccoli from the Viola to Bologna.
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What happened
Bologna have announced the departure of Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga to Bundesliga side FC Köln. The deal is structured as a loan with an option to buy set at €14 million, allowing Bologna to recoup their initial investment if Köln choose to activate the clause. Dallinga struggled to make a significant impact at Bologna after joining the club, and the move gives him an opportunity to revive his career in Germany. FC Köln, meanwhile, add a target man as they look to strengthen their attacking options in the 2. Bundesliga or top flight.
Chance analysis
Dallinga moves from a Champions League participant in Serie A to Köln, a club recently fighting relegation in the Bundesliga or competing in the 2. Bundesliga. From Bologna's perspective, this is a squad trim that frees wages and salary space. For Köln, the €14m option is a notable commitment for a player who underwhelmed in Italy, suggesting calculated risk rather than blockbuster signing.
Bologna lose a forward option but recoup potential transfer value; Köln gain a physical striker on a low-commitment loan with a clear buy clause.
A peripheral transfer; reduces Bologna's forward depth and may strengthen Köln's attack if Dallinga regains form.