Augsburg prepare to loan Elias Saad to Hannover 96 | OneFootball

Florian Plettenberg reports that Augsburg attacker Elias Saad is on the verge of being loaned to 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 – now managed by experienced German footballing administrator Jörg Schmadtke – having beaten Hertha Berlin in the race to secure the Hamburg native’s services.

Plettenberg reports that Saad is due in Lower Saxony for a Wednesday medical. 

Augsburg will not give up on Elias Saad

Saad’s improbable journey from a semi-professional footballer and part-time Futsal player to a Bundesliga professional and Tunisian international remains one of the most interesting stories in all of German football. The 26-year-old has nevertheless struggled to find his footing since making the switch from St. Pauli to Augsburg this past summer. Saad has yet to record a goal or assist in 10 league appearances for the Fuggerstädter this year.

Saad started Tunisia’s initial group stage fixture against Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but did not make another appearance for country during the tournament until Tunisia’s elimination at the hands of Mali in the Round-of-16. After returning to Germany, Saad did make Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum’s matchday selection for this past weekend’s Bundesliga restart match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. 

Baum kept Saad unused on the bench in the 4-0 away defeat in North-Rhine-Westphalia. Plettenberg reports that Augsburg have not included a purchase option in the loan agreement. The Bavarian Swabians fully expect Saad to return this summer in better form and continue to fulfill his contract. 

GGFN | Peter Weis