Official | Augsburg confirm surprising signing of Stuttgart reserve striker Thomas Kastanaras (23) | OneFootball

In a totally unexpected and rather odd move on transfer deadline day, FC Augsburg have signed Stuttgart reserve striker Thomas Kastanaras. The 23-year-old is generally regarded as a career lower league player, maintains an estimated market value of only €300,000, and would have been available on a free transfer due to his expiring contract after the season.

Kastanaras hasn’t even been available to appear for VfB II in the 3. Liga due to knee surgery undergone over the summer. While the Stuttgart native has scored a respectable total of 10 3. Liga goals, he hasn’t logged any Bundesliga minutes since his four first team appearances under Pellegrino Matarazzo and Bruno Labbadia during the 2022/23 campaign. 

Current VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß has not turned to him once and only selected him for the matchday squad twice during his long tenure. Despite all of this, both Augsburg and Stuttgart issued statements building the player up after the out-of-the-blue deal was concluded. 

Statements on Thomas Kastanaras’ move

“We were determined to sign Thomas,” Augsburg sporting director Benni Weber noted in a club statement. “He has a lot of untapped potential that he’s not been able to demonstrate yet and we’re convinced he’ll soon be ready for the next step.“

“Thomas is a very versatile and ambitious striker,” VfB academy Stephan Hildebrandt added. “After 13 years with Stuttgart, he’s a strong and respected personality. We will naturally be following his progress and wish him all the best.”

“I owe a lot to VfB,” the player himself said. “It will always be my club. I started here as a little boy and fulfilled my dream of becoming a Bundesliga player. After six months out with injury, I’m back in top shape and looking forward to getting to know my new teammates and celebrating success with them.”

GGFN | Peter Weis