Ex-Ghana international striker Ibrahim Tanko has been appointed as an assistant coach of German Bundesliga side Cologne.

The 33-year-old becomes the first ex-Ghanaian footballer to be handed a major role with a major European side.

The former Black Stars striker will work under new coach Stale Solbakken after impressing working as a scout for Cologne in Africa.

“I am abviously delighted that I have been given this appointment but the hard work begins now to make Cologne excel in Bundesliga this season,” Tanko told GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively.

Tanko was the co-coach of Japanese top-flight side Urawa Red Diamonds before he quit the post at the end of last season.