Rav van den Berg
KOE
CB
Back Line Anchor
Jul 7, 2004 (22)
Left
6'3"
165 lb
FC KölnPlays one half in return
van den Berg (ankle) played one half of Thursday's 8-0 friendly win over Bergisch Gladbach, the club posted.
Analysis: van den Berg's involvement is an encouraging step forward after previously being limited to partial training sessions as he built up from an ankle issue that saw him taken off training in a golf cart, later confirmed to be without structural damage. His return to match action positions him to continue building toward full integration into Koln's squad ahead of the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
Trains partially with team
van den Berg completed parts of team training as FC Koln began its second week of preseason preparations, continuing his buildup after previously being sidelined by an ankle issue, according to the club.
Analysis: van den Berg's increased training load marks a positive step forward in his recovery, though it remains unclear when he will be able to rejoin full team training. His return to partial sessions follows a recent scare when he was taken off training in a golf cart, later confirmed to be without structural damage, and his continued progression will be worth monitoring as Koln builds toward the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
Cleared of serious ankle injury
van den Berg (ankle) has no structural injury after being taken off training Wednesday in a golf cart, with the club confirming he is fit to train, according to GEISSBLOG.
Analysis: van den Berg's positive scan results are a relief for 1. FC Koln after an initial scare suggested a possible ankle ligament issue during a blocking attempt. The defender, who joined from Middlesbrough last year as the club's most expensive summer signing, had already been tasked with using the offseason to fight his way into a crowded center back team, and this early scare, though not serious, is a reminder of the stakes as he looks to reestablish himself ahead of the new season.
Suffers ankle injury in training
Van den Berg was taken off early during Wednesday's training session after appearing to injure his ankle while blocking a shot with his right foot, geissblog.koeln reports.
Analysis: Van den Berg's fresh start at 1. FC Koln is now in question after he was hurt blocking a shot during Wednesday's training session, needing to be taken off in a golf cart. Further examinations, potentially including an MRI, will determine how serious the ankle injury is. The defender was already fighting for a starting role among a crowded center-back group that includes Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, new arrival Luka Lochoshvili, Joel Schmied and returning loanee Julian Pauli. Van den Berg arrived from Middlesbrough for eight million euros last year as the club's most expensive summer signing but struggled during the second half of last season. Coach Rene Wagner had called on him to use the offseason to work his way back into contention, a task that now becomes more difficult.
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