Julian Köster to join THW Kiel in 2026
Handball national team player and Olympic silver medalist Julian Köster will transfer from his current club VfL Gummersbach to the German Cup winner THW Kiel for the 2026/2027 season. The 25-year-old backcourt player has signed a four-year contract with the Zebras, running until June 30, 2030.
Szilagyi: “An absolute top player for our concept”
“Julian is an absolute top player for our concept. We are happy and proud that we were able to inspire Julian with our vision and that he decided to join us on this path,” said THW Managing Director Viktor Szilagyi. “We have, of course, had our eye on Julian for many years. His development has been nothing short of rapid. He has matured into a true leader not only in Gummersbach but also in the national team. Despite his young age, by 2026 he will bring a wealth of national and international experience to our team.”
Jicha: “Julian has high game intelligence”
THW coach Filip Jicha is also thrilled: “Julian has a high level of game intelligence and takes responsibility even in tight situations. He is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, German backcourt players both defensively and offensively. With his vision and cool head, he is already a key figure for both his club and the national team at just 25 years old, and his development is far from complete. I am extremely excited for THW Kiel that Julian has chosen to join us.”
Köster: “Looking forward to growing as part of this team”
“I am very much looking forward to the upcoming time at THW Kiel,” said Julian Köster. “THW is not only the record champion but also one of the biggest and most traditional clubs in the handball world. It is a great honor for me to be able to play for this club in the future. I am excited about the new challenge in Kiel and about growing as part of this team.”
About Julian Köster
Julian Köster was born on March 16, 2000, in Bielefeld. As a child and teenager, he initially played for TuS SW Brauweiler before moving in 2015 to TSV Bayer Dormagen, where he also signed his first professional contract. In 2021, he took the next step in his career, transferring to VfL Gummersbach. He played a key role in the club’s promotion back to the DAIKIN Handball Bundesliga in the 2021/2022 season. The two-meter-tall right-hander became captain of Gummersbach the following year.
With the German U-19 national team, he won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championship and was named the best defensive player, earning a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Team.
Köster made his debut for the senior national team on November 5, 2021. Since then, he has played 69 matches for Germany, scoring 177 goals. His greatest sporting achievement so far was winning the silver medal with Germany at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Mandatory Credit © Sasa Pahic Szabo / kolektiff
