FC Augsburg’s first winter signing is a “highly talented” midfielder who will be traveling to the training camp at the same time. A top scorer, on the other hand, leaves at the end of the season – and that’s free of charge.
Augsburg (dpa / lby) – FC Augsburg has made its first winter transfer perfect – at the same time a prominent striker departure in the summer is fixed. At the start of training for their pros on Tuesday, the Bundesliga soccer club announced the anticipated signing of Belgian U19 national player Arne Engels. The 19-year-old midfielder comes from Belgian second division club NXT, which belongs to the youth academy of Club Brugge.
In the early evening, Hertha BSC ended the speculation about Florian Niederlechner and reported the FCA attacker to be successful. The 32-year-old is moving to his league rivals in Berlin after this season. Niederlechner will sign a contract until 2025, Hertha announced.
“With him we get an experienced attacking player who brings with him a goal threat, mentality and physicality,” commented sporting director Fredi Bobic. Niederlechner’s contract with FCA expires in the summer, so he is free of charge. The attacker has scored 23 goals in 89 league games for FCA since 2019.
After the sports medical examinations, offensive player Engels signed a contract until June 30, 2027, as the club announced. Engels is scheduled to travel to the Augsburg training camp in Algorfa in Spain this Wednesday. He is immediately available to coach Enrico Maassen in preparation for the remainder of the Bundesliga season. The preferred area of ??application for the newcomer is the right, offensive flank.
According to FCA, both clubs have agreed not to disclose the transfer terms. According to a report in the “Augsburger Allgemeine”, Augsburg paid 100,000 euros to FC Brugge, where Engels was under contract.
For FCA managing director Stefan Reuter, Engels is “a highly talented midfielder” and “a very ambitious guy”. However, the youngster will be “given the necessary time and introduced to the Bundesliga”.
“I am very happy about the move to Augsburg. FCA is a seasoned Bundesliga club and offers me optimal conditions so that I can develop in the best possible way,” Engels said in the club’s statement. The training camp will “certainly help him to get to know my new teammates quickly and to internalize the game system”.
After a loan to Real Salt Lake, attacker Sergio Cordova is back at FC Augsburg. The 25-year-old attacker from Venezuela last played for Real Salt Lake City in Major League Soccer. He is still under contract in Augsburg until June 30, 2025. His sporting future is open.
