Sports News Feed: Cologne sign former Germany midfielder Max Meyer

Cologne have signed former Palace midfielder Max Meyer until the end of the season. Elsewhere, Gladbach striker Breel Embolo has received a heavy fine from the club for violating Germany’s coronavirus restrictions.

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Cologne sign former Palace midfielder Max Meyer

Report: Löw planning Musiala call-up

Pandemic to cost richest 20 clubs more than €2 billion

January 27 Cologne sign Max Meyer

Relegation- threatened Cologne have signed attacking midfielder Max Meyer for the rest of the season.

"For me the decisive perspective was to be able to play," the25-year-old Meyer said in a statement onCologne's homepage on Wednedsay. "I want touse the chance to present myself at a top level and help Cologne stayup."

Meyer, who made four appearances for Germany between 2014 and 2016,previously played in the Bundesliga with Schalke. He left the Gelsenkirchen club to join Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2018 but was released from his contract earlierthis month.

Cologne, who are in 16th place, the relegation playoff spot in the Bundesliga standings with just 15 points from18 games, face a crucial match against Armina Bielefeld, one placeand two points above them, on Saturday.

Report: Löw planning Musiala call-up

According to a report published in Wednesday's edition of the German weekly SportBild, national team head coach Joachim Löw is planning to name 17-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala to his squad for three World Cup-qualifying matches in March.

The Stuttgart native, who moved to England as a child, is also eligible to play forthat country – and made his debut for the English Under-21 side last November.

Musiala, who turns 18 next month, came through Chelsea's academy before joiningBayern in 2019.

The attacking midfielder showcased his talent with a superb long-range goal in last month's top-of-the-table clash at home to RB Leipzig, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

January 26 Gladbach fines Embolo for breaking COVID protocols

Borussia Mönchengladbach have issued a "heavy fine" to striker Breel Embolo for breaching Germany's coronavirus restrictions earlier this month.

Embolo confirmed on Instagram last week that police wrote him up after he visited a friend in Essen following a game between Gladbach and Stuttgart on January 16. He denied previous reports that he had attended a larger party that was taking