Overview
- Fortuna Düsseldorf announced the death on Wednesday, and a club spokesman confirmed it to dpa on behalf of the family.
- Doctors diagnosed pancreatic cancer in April 2023 during a routine check; Koch disclosed in May 2024 that it was incurable after an initial six‑month prognosis.
- Koch made 213 top‑flight and 165 second‑division appearances, including 118 matches for Fortuna, and also played for Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, MSV Duisburg and Energie Cottbus.
- He had stints abroad with PSV Eindhoven, Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Wien, winning the Croatian league and cup with Dinamo.
- After retiring he worked at Viktoria Köln and in 2024 organized a benefit match for a children's cancer charity, as tributes from former clubs and players followed his passing.