FC Köln released a statement on Thursday officially confirming that Timo Horn won’t leave the club this summer, even if they get relegated.

As this point there’s almost no chance Köln will escape relegation this campaign. They’re eight points away from safety with just three games remaining, and have just two wins in their last 12. To make matters worse, they play league champions Bayern Munich in those final three matches.

The club at least have some good news though, with Horn committing to stick around either way. He told the club website he wants to put them back on the right track.

“FC is my club and Cologne is my home,” he said. “This is why I have always said that I can envision myself going on this path together if the perspective is right. And it is.

“Despite a difficult season, FC has managed to create an excellent situation for the upcoming season and has ambitious goals. That is very important for me. I will do my best to put us back on the path to success.”

Köln explicitly stated that “Timo Horn will remain a player of 1. FC Köln regardless of first or second league participation next season. The goalkeeper has opted not to trigger his release clause.”

Earlier this year, reports suggested Horn could leave the club for just £4.5m if he did decide to trigger the release clause. The goalkeeper admitted he’s always been a bit of an Arsenal fan in September, and the media have linked the club to a move ever since.

Given the team are bottom of the Bundesliga, Horn’s statistics don’t make for great reading. He is up to seven clean sheets in 40 appearances this season. Nonetheless, he is still showing his quality, and Köln will be happy to still have him around next campaign.