The 2016-17 campaign delivered a sensational return to the European stage for 1. FC Köln, with Die Geißböcke clinching a spectacular 5th-place finish in the Bundesliga under manager Peter Stöger. This monumental success secured a coveted spot in the UEFA Europa League, ending the club's 25-year absence from continental competition. Spearheading the charge was the prolific French striker Anthony Modeste, whose career-best 25 goals in the league, accounting for nearly half of the team's total, fired Köln to glory. The season was built on grit, passion, and the promise of a long-awaited European adventure, marking a glorious and unforgettable chapter for the club's faithful.