FC Cologne joins bid for Hashemian

Berlin - Second division Bundesliga club FC Cologne has also joined the bidding campaign of three Bundesliga teams -- VfL Bochum, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Hertha Berlin -- to sign Bayern reserve forward Vahid Hashemian, the bi-weekly kicker sports magazine said Thursday.

A hot favorite to be promoted to the first Bundesliga division, Cologne is reportedly planning to lure Hashemian for next season.

The 28-year-old former Pas player reiterated earlier he had no plans to leave Bayern Munich before the end of this season, saying he needed more time playing style.

Meanwhile Hashemian whose current contract with Bayern runs through 2007, made clear he would not return to his former club VfL Bochum.

The speedy striker has failed to make an impact at Bayern Munich following his 2 million euro move from Bochum last summer.

Hashemian has yet to score a goal for Bayern this season and has only played sporadically.