Rav van den Berg appears set to continue his career in the Bundesliga. The central defender is likely to swap Middlesbrough for 1. FC Köln, insiders confirm.

Rav van den Berg’s career is on the brink of a significant leap forward, with the 21-year-old Dutch central defender set to swap the English Championship for the German Bundesliga.

After weeks of speculation and negotiations, multiple sources have confirmed that Middlesbrough and 1. FC Köln have reached an agreement in principle for the player’s transfer, in a deal expected to be worth around €10 million.

The move comes just weeks after Van den Berg’s proposed transfer to Dutch giants Feyenoord collapsed. In June, the Rotterdam club appeared close to bringing the defender back to the Eredivisie, but the deal fell apart at the final stage. Although the exact reasons were never officially confirmed, reports in the Netherlands suggested last-minute complications over personal terms and timing. The collapse of that move left the defender’s future uncertain but it also opened the door to interest from abroad.

Köln have now stepped in decisively. If completed, the signing would rank among the most expensive in the club’s history, underlining how highly the German side value the young Dutchman. For Middlesbrough, the transfer represents an extraordinary piece of business. The Championship side acquired Van den Berg from PEC Zwolle just two years ago for a fee of only a few hundred thousand euros. In that time, he has developed into one of the league’s most promising young defenders, attracting attention from scouts across Europe. PEC Zwolle, meanwhile, will also benefit significantly from the deal, having inserted a sizeable sell-on clause in the original transfer agreement that will see them collect over €2 million from the sale.

During his two seasons at Middlesbrough, Van den Berg made 61 appearances in England’s second tier. While the club fell short of promotion to the Premier League, the defender’s consistent performances marked by composure on the ball, aerial strength, and tactical awareness beyond his years earned him recognition not only in England but also with the Netherlands’ youth national teams. Coaches have often highlighted his versatility, noting his ability to operate both as a traditional centre-back and in systems requiring ball-playing defenders.

The move to 1. FC Köln will mark a new chapter in Van den Berg’s career and his first taste of top-flight football in one of Europe’s “big five” leagues. The German club, known for their passionate fan base and intense home atmosphere at the RheinEnergieStadion, have already sold out all season tickets for the upcoming campaign, meaning the Dutchman will be stepping into one of the most vibrant football environments in the Bundesliga.

Köln’s decision to invest heavily in Van den Berg reflects both a belief in his immediate ability to strengthen their defence and confidence in his long-term potential. The club’s recruitment strategy in recent seasons has increasingly focused on identifying young, upwardly mobile talent from outside the Bundesliga, developing them into first-team regulars, and, in some cases, selling them on for profit. In Van den Berg’s case, however, the immediate expectation will be for him to become a key part of the defensive setup from the start.

For Van den Berg, the move also offers an opportunity to test himself at a higher level of competition, facing some of the best attackers in Europe week in, week out. The Bundesliga’s fast-paced and often physical style of play should suit his athleticism and proactive defending, while the league’s emphasis on tactical organisation will provide him with further opportunities to grow. Additionally, playing in Germany may put him more firmly on the radar of the Dutch senior national team, where competition for defensive places remains fierce.

Should the final formalities be completed as expected, the transfer will represent the third major chapter in Van den Berg’s career: from his early breakthrough at PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie, to his developmental years in the Championship with Middlesbrough, and now to the Bundesliga with Köln. The move also marks another milestone for the Van den Berg family, as Rav follows in the professional footsteps of his older brother Sepp, who currently plays for Brentford in the Premier League after spells with Liverpool, Preston North End, and Schalke.

With preseason preparations already underway in Germany, Köln will be eager to integrate their new signing quickly into the squad. For Middlesbrough, meanwhile, the sale provides a financial boost that could be reinvested into strengthening their promotion push. For PEC Zwolle, it’s a welcome windfall from a well-negotiated sell-on clause a reminder of the long-term benefits of developing and exporting young talent.

If the deal is finalised in the coming days, Van den Berg’s Bundesliga debut could come as soon as mid-August, offering Köln fans an early glimpse of a player the club hopes will anchor their defence for years to come.