Eric Martel - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Moves to Mainz Martel has completed a transfer to Mainz from Koln, according to his new club.

Impact Martel is on the move this offseason but won't go far, transferring to Mainz in a move from one German club to another. This comes after the midfielder was a regular starter for Koln during the 2025/26 campaign in their return to the Bundesliga, starting in 30 of his 31 appearances. He would also score two goals and two assists, showing some decent value at only age 24. This will add another contender to a decently young Mainz midfield, giving them a bit more depth and versatility in the middle of the pitch.

MAY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Active on both sides of ball Martel took two off target shots, blocked two shots and made three tackles (winning two) during Saturday's 5-1 loss to Bayern.

Impact Martel was active on both sides of the ball leading Koln in shots, blocks and tackles during the lopsided defeat. The midfielder ends the year with four goal involvements, 46 tackles and 124 clearances while making 31 league appearances.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Back from ban Martel is no longer suspended and is an option for the club moving forward.

Impact Martel is rejoining his team for the final match day, as the midfielder has served his one-match ban. He has been a starter in the midfield for the entire season and should return to that spot for the finale, scoring two goals and two assists in 30 appearances (29 starts).

MAY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss Heidenheim game Martel picked up his tenth yellow card of the season against Union Berlin and will be suspended for the upcoming Bundesliga match against Heidenheim.

Impact Martel is unavailable for the upcoming Bundesliga match against Heidenheim due to suspension after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season against Union Berlin. The midfielder is an undisputed starter for his side, with two goals and two assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances this season, while Jakub Kaminski is expected to start in midfield in his absence.

MAY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Fires two shots Martel took two off target shots, crossed once inaccurately, made two interceptions and four tackles (winning three) during Friday's 1-1 draw with St. Pauli.

Impact Martel was active on both sides of the ball as he led Koln in shots and interceptions while finishing with the second most tackles on the team. The midfielder has combined for a goal, five shots, seven tackles and six interceptions over his last three appearances.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Option again Martel is no longer suspended and is an option for his club again.

Impact Martel is back in the fold after a week out, having been shown a red card in his last appearance. He should see an almost immediate return to a starting role, as the midfielder started in 25 of his 26 appearances before the ban, recording two goals and two assists.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Shown red Saturday Martel scored one goal before being sent off in the 86rd minute of Saturday's match against Monchengladbach and will be suspended for the upcoming clash against Frankfurt.

Impact Martel scored one goal but received two yellow cards, resulting in a red card, during Saturday's match against Monchengladbach and will miss the next game against Frankfurt. The German has started 25 of the 26 Bundesliga matches he has played this season, recording two goals and two assists, so his absence could be felt. Tom Krauss is the main candidate to start in his place during his suspension.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Nets one in draw Martel scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-2 draw against FC Heidenheim. In addition, he was give...

Impact Martel fired a season-high three shots and made sure that his first shot on target of the season counted, as he headed home his squad's first goal of the match in the 18th minute of play. This also marked the third time this season that he set up at least two chances created in a match, and the 13th time in 16 appearances that he tallied at least 30 completed passes.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes assist in win Martel assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Friday's 1-0 victory against Hoffenheim.

Impact Martel logged his second assist of the campaign, both of which have come within the last three outings. This also marked his fourth chance created in six appearances on the year. Additionally, he stood out defensively by nabbing multiple interceptions for a fourth time, and earning his sixth tackle won.

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Assists before substitution Martel had an assist with his lone chance created while taking an off target shot, blocking two shots and making three interceptions during Saturday's match against RB Leipzig.

Impact Martel set up Jan Thielmann in the 23rd minute while leading Koln in blocks and interceptions as of his substitution in the 59th minute. The assist was the first goal involvement this season for Martel as he had played every minute of every match prior to Saturday's contest.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Appears in friendly Martel (back) started and appeared in a friendly against Leicester City.

Impact Martel is earning a return to action after battling a back issue this week, with the midfielder finding his way back on the field for a friendly. This is good news for the club as he can now be considered fit for the start of the season, gaining back a regular starter ahead of the campaign.

JULY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Training individually Martel is following individual training on Tuesday after suffering back problems on Sunday, the club announced.

Impact Martel suffered from back problems on Sunday and returned to the pitch on Tuesday for individual training. That said, it is not the only update for the young defender since he has only one year left on his contract and his future remains a bit uncertain for the time being. Reports say Italian side Fiorentina are keen on signing him, while FC Koln Sporting Director Thomas Kessler said recently that he will discuss with Martel during the training camp about his future.

JULY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cologne returns to the Bundesliga as second division champion

Cologne has clinched its return to the Bundesliga as second division champion with a 4-0 rout of Kaiserslautern on the final day of the season

MAY 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Major minutes conitnue Martel has played every minutes of every match except for two this season.

Impact Martel has been asked to take over as the first choice defensive midfielder and he has done so with aplomb. Martel has faced big minutes and been brilliant in holding midfield alongside a variety of partners. Still it's hard to see much upside going forward for Martel especially after a tough start for the team.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Leverkusen Martel is fit and in the starting XI to face Leverkusen on Sunday.

Impact Martel returns from an Achilles injury which has kept him out of Koln's last three matches. The midfielder had started three times prior to the injury and recovers his role in the starting XI now that he's fully fit.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in full training Martel (Achilles) returned to full training Friday, according to manager Steffen Baumgart. "Eric Martel have trained fully and things are looking good".

Impact It could be a long shot for Martel to be ready to play Sunday, but he has trained fully with the team and could be a late call against Bayer Leverkusen. He's missed the last three matches with an Achilles injury after starting the first three games from the defensive midfield. Denis Huseinbasic is still expected to start for the time being until Martel returns to full match form.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limited training participant Martel (Achilles) completed portions of first-team training ahead of Sunday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Martel continues to work his way back toward a return versus Monchengladbach after the upcoming international break. Given his extended absence, the midfielder shouldn't be expected to immediately jump into the starting XI. Still, Martel featured in 26 of his last 32 Bundesliga appearances for the club and should be in contention once given the all-clear.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Saturday Martel (Achilles) is expected to be an option for Saturday's match versus Stuttgart. "Eric was treated in Augsburg. We gave him the opportunity to clear his head. Now he's coming b...

Impact Martel was forced to sit out the last two matches with an Achilles injury. It is unclear if he would be ready to start the match, with Denis Huseinbasic the favorite for the spot in the lineup against Stuttgart in the defensive midfield alongside Dejan Ljubicic.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Trains individually Martel (Achilles) is inching towards a return after training individually ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Martel is getting closer to a return after being deemed fit enough to train individually on Tuesday. The midfielder missed the last match due to an apparent Achilles injury and will be in risk of missing another if he isn't fit by Saturday. If he cannot go against Stuttgart, then expect Dejan Ljubicic or Florian Kainz to fill in his starting spot.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Martel (Achilles) is out for Saturday's clash with Hoffenheim, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Martel is out against Hoffenheim and potentially longer after picking up an Achilles tendon issue. With Mathias Olesen also ruled out this is a major issue in defensive midfield with Dejan Ljubicic the only option there. It remains to be seen if Koln will opt into a new formation or try and shift someone like Florian Kainz into a deeper-lying role.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eight tackles against Munich Martel generated one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Bayern Munich.

Impact Martel made eight tackles and five interceptions in another stellar showing during Saturday's loss. The defensive midfielder has been a brilliant replacement for Salih Ozcan in the starting XI and has done very well to partner Ellyes Skhiri. Martel was handed a major role and handled it admirably, totaling 66 tackles and 33 interceptions while scoring and assisting.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First assist in win Martel assisted once to go with three shots (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Friday's 5-2 victory versus Hertha Berlin. In addition, he was given...

Impact Martel found his first Bundesliga assist during Friday's one-sided rout. The defensive midfielder has taken over a major role following the departure of Salih Ozcan to Dortmund, and has done well in that role. Martel is unlikely to ever be a major offensive producer, but he has done well to earn two goal contributions in 27 appearances, while adding major defensive volume.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can return from suspension Martel will be eligible to feature in Friday's clash against Hertha Berlin after serving a one-game suspension.

Impact Martel missed last week's win over Leverkusen while suspended for yellow card accumulation, but he will be available to return to the squad against Hertha on Friday. He started 10 of his side's 12 Bundesliga matches from February-April in defensive midfield.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns suspension Martel was shown a yellow card during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Freiburg and will serve a one-match ban.

Impact Martel picked up the yellow card, his fifth in 26 appearances, and is set for a match on the sideline. It's been an impressive breakout season for the defensive midfielder, who has taken a major role in the starting XI and managed to stay out of the referee's book more often than not. Martel will be eligible to return for a May 12 clash with Hertha.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First career goal Martel scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 win against FC Augsburg. In addition, he was given a...

Impact Martel got on the scoresheet with a goal for his first goal since joining the senior Koln team. The defensive midfielder isn't much of an offensive option at the best of times, but the goal is a huge step forward for the majorly impressive young star. Martel will remain a nailed-on starter moving forward.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Cologne returns to the Bundesliga as second division champion