With less than a day left to the Bundesliga opener, FC Köln head coach Steffen Baumgart has lauded Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina despite losing the cup clash against Regensburg over the weekend.Maina joined Köln in the current transfer window from second Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a free transfer after running down his contract at the club where he spent eight years.Maina pens heartfelt message after dream Bundesliga moveKöln lost the DFB Pokal clash against second Bundesliga side Regensburg on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time with Maina netting in the shout-out that they unfortunately lost.Baumgart revealed that Maina showed tired legs in the defeat like many other players who were coming off a grueling pre-season as he went on to heap praise on the midfielder.##NAJAVA_MECA_6541747##”Like the other players, he (Linton Maina) was tired in the friendlies. He showed why we got him. He and the others who came on played a good game. Together with Jan Thielmann, his speed put the tired Regensburgers under pressure. What was missing, what was the last punch,” said Baumgart.Maina will be returning to the Bundesliga after he suffered relegation with Hannover 96 back in 2019 and will look to excel at the club who are also seeking a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League where they are in the playoffs.Kenyan winger seals move to BundesligaThe 23-year-old was born to a Kenyan father and a German mother and has featured for the German Youth sides but is yet to make a senior appearance making him eligible for Harambee Stars.Köln will kick off their season against Bundesliga’s newly promoted side Schalke 04 on Sunday 7 August.
