Bundesliga veteran and ex Dinamo keeper Georg Koch dies at 55

Georg Koch, former goalkeeper of Dinamo Zagreb and several German clubs, has died at the age of 55 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The news has saddened fans across Croatia and Germany.

The German goalkeeper built a long professional career between 1990 and 2009. During that time he made 213 appearances in the Bundesliga and another 165 matches in the German second division.

He represented several clubs in German football, including Kaiserslautern, Energie Cottbus, Arminia Bielefeld and MSV Duisburg. Fortuna Düsseldorf always held a special place in his career, and Koch often described the club as his greatest love.

After his spell with Duisburg, Koch joined Dinamo Zagreb. Although he stayed at Maksimir for only one season, he quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his personality, leadership, and performances on the pitch.

With Dinamo, he won the Croatian league title and the Croatian Cup. Many supporters even viewed him as a potential future captain before the return of goalkeeper Tomislav Butina, which led to Koch leaving the club.

He continued his career at Rapid Vienna and later at Herford, where he eventually ended his playing career.

The football world first learned about his illness in 2024. In an emotional interview with Bild, Koch openly spoke about his diagnosis.

"The disease is incurable, I will die. But God has not yet decided when he will take me."

Doctors initially predicted he would live only six months, yet Koch continued to fight the disease far longer.

Dinamo Zagreb paid tribute to their former goalkeeper in a touching message.

"The beloved of the Maksimir stands, the former brilliant Dinamo goalkeeper Georg Koch, has left us forever at the age of 55. GNK Dinamo expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of our Georg Koch. Thank you for the saves, the emotions, and the history we wrote together. You will always remain part of our blue family. Koch mit uns."