Timo Horn looks set to extend his contract with Köln beyond 2016, with the player keen to enter negotiations.

Jörg Schmadtke, director at die Geißbockheim, has stated: "We will promptly seek a dialogue." Schmadtke, a former goalkeeper himself, has joined coach Peter Stöger in calls for Horn to extened. However, while speaking to kicker, the former-Fortuna Dusseldorf shot-stopper was keen to stress there was "no time pressure", in relation to talks.

"He does an incredible job," is what Stöger had to say about his number one. "I would be happy if he stays, it would be a good platform for him to develop." Horn has adapted well to life in the Bundesliga; after conceding just twenty goals in the 2.Bundesliga last term, he's carried that form through to the plateau of German football. Two clean sheets in two games, against Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart, are impressive figures for any goalkeeper.

The 21-year-old was born in Köln and has been a member of their youth ranks since the age of nine. After making his break through two seasons ago, the Germany under-21 'keeper hasn't looked back. This is similar to his team-mate Yannick Gerhardt, who turned down a move to Portuguese giants Benfica and then signed a new four-year-deal. Horn is sticking to the club where he has made, and continues to make, his name at. 

"I am willing to extend, because I grew up at FC. I'm very proud to be part of this club, and I've always been an FC fan." commented Horn, who has publicly admitted his next aim is to play at the 2016 Olympics. Having topped their qualifying group with a 2-0 win, in Halle, against the Republic of Ireland in Halle. Horn kept a clean-sheet, meaning only five goals were conceded in the qualifying round. A third place finish, in next year's tournament held in the Czech Republic, would be enough to seal die Mannschaft's place in Brazil.

A major bonus for Cologne's custodian, is that Marc-André ter Stegen and Bernd Leno, two fine 'keepers in their own right, will be too old to compete. "The Olympics are my big goal." said Horn, "For any athlete, this is something very special. Not everyone has the opportunity to be here, but in my case it is.

"The Olympics have an incredible tradition and there are not many footballers who can participate in this tournament. That would be a highlight for me."

Attentions to turn Paderborn, on Sunday, for Timo and the Billy Goats. They'll be aiming to take three points from their follow promoted side and cap a great start. Three points at the Benteler Arena would give them a fantastic momentum boost ahead of the wildly anticipated Rheinische Derby. One of the most hotly contested games in German football, Köln will be hoping to get one over on Borussia Mönchengladbach; the foals won the last two derby games 3-0 in the 2011/12 Bundesliga.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]