Augsburg updates: FCA extend with Framberger, Maier soon to follow, Uduokhai requests transfer
In other Augsburg-related transfer news, Germany's preeminent footballing publication reports that Maier's former Germany U21 teammate Felix Uduokhai has lodged a transfer request.
| Raphael Framberger | Solent Creatives CC BY-SA 2.0 |
FC Augsburg have opted to seal a longer-term commitment with oft-injured German right-back Raphael Framberger. The 28-year-old - after returning from a brief loan stint with SV Sandhausen - was unable to log a single minute for his hometown club this season after suffering an ACL tear in training camp last summer. Managing director Michael Ströll and FCA sporting director Marinko Jurendic both issued statements of support whilst announcing that Framberger's expiring contract had been extended by one year.
"Raphael Framberger is an FCA player through and through," Ströll said, "nd it was clear to us that we would support such an FCA veteran, who has come through all of FCA's youth teams since the age of eight and made the leap into the professional squad. He will always have his place at FCA."
"Unfortunately, Raphael Framberger has not been able to take to the pitch in recent month," Jurendic added, "but I've gotten to know him as a strong fighter who always gets back up and fights his way back."
"My long rehab period is coming to an end and I'm eager to get back on the pitch and start training camp with the U23s," the player himself added, "I'm very grateful to FCA for giving me this opportunity by extending my contract."
In other-related FCA personnel news, Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that former Germany U21 international Arne Maier is in line for a contract extension. The 25-year-old central midfielder strong season (two goals and four assists in 22 league appearances) shall be rewarded with a new deal.
Germany's Kicker Magazine, meanwhile, claims that a player who signed a surprise contract extension late last summernow wants out of the Fuggerstadt. The 26-year-old wants to test the market again after playing a successful season that featured two goals in 33 league appearances.
Uduokhai's previous extension kept him on the club books through the end of next season. The Bavarian Swabians will likely wish to cash in on him. Once considered a €16-million-valued central defender, Uduokhai's current estimated market worth is €7 million.
