Cologne have completed the signing of Milos Jojic from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund for a fee believed to be in the region of three million euros.
The Serbia international has signed a four-year contract with the Goats after failing to gain a regular starting berth in 18 months with Dortmund.
"Milos Jojic is a talented player who has already been able to measure himself up to the best in Europe and prove himself,'' said Cologne's general manager Jorg Schmadtke on his club's website.
"He's versatile and hits good set-pieces. Furthermore, he knows the Bundesliga and has already proven his qualities at the highest level.''
Jojic scored four goals in 10 appearances in the second half of the 2013-14 season, but failed to net in 10 more games last term.
Meanwhile, a move for Schalke defender Felipe Santana to Cologne has broken down after he failed a medical.
"Given the facts, we have decided against signing Felipe Santana,'' said Schmadtke, who said they will instead turn their attention to signing another defender.
"We currently have only one central defender in training with Dominic Maroh so we think it makes sense to strengthen in this department, if we can find a player who is immediately available to us.
"Santana would have had to rest for three weeks and then catch up on what he would have missed, so we're already checking other options.''