Official | Austrian striker Michael Gregoritsch returns to Augsburg on loan with €1m purchase option | OneFootball

FC Augsburg have officially acquired Austrian striker Michael Gregoritsch on loan from Brøndby with a purchase option. Kicker and other German footballing media sources report that Gregoritsch can return to one of his old Bundesliga clubs permanently for around €1m. Gregoritsch is back in the Bundesliga just five months after it appeared he had finally bid farewell to the land in which he spent most of his footballing career. 

Gregoritsch spent five seasons in Augsburg between 2017 and 2022. Between 2017 and 2019, he worked under recently re-installed FCA head coach Manuel Baum. The now 31-year-old was widely regarded to be an important linchpin in the FCA attack. Gregoritsch scored 31 goals and contributed eight assists in 129 competitive fixtures for the Fuggerstädter.

Augsburg are delighted to have their former player back. The 72-times-capped ÖFB international also happens to be thrilled with his move back down south to the Bundesrepublik. Gregoritsch has scored a total of 59 goals and provided 25 assists in 270 Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg, SC Freiburg, Schalke 04, and Hamburger SV.

Statements on Gregoritsch’s signing

“When the opportunity to join FCA arose, I was immediately excited,” Gregoritsch noted in a statement released on the FCA website. “I never lost contact with Augsburg, and I really wanted to take on this challenge. I have fond memories of my time under Manuel Baum. We now want to build on that and quickly leave the lower reaches of the table.”

“Michael has proven his qualities not only at FCA, but also at other Bundesliga clubs,” FCA sporting director Benni Weber noted in his own statement. “With him, we are gaining an experienced striker who is strong in the air and can help our team both on and off the pitch. He will be important for us, especially in decisive phases of the game.”

GGFN | Peter Weis