By Henrik Petersen

Weinzierl calls for patience with Pepi

Augsburg record signing Ricardo Pepi needs time to settle in, underlines head coach Markus Weinzierl.
Markus Weinzierl.
Markus Weinzierl.Photo: Maerwa/CC-by-SA 3.0
FC Augsburg recently broke their transfer record, putting around €16 million on the table to sign 18-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi from FC Dallas.

Expectations are high for Pepi, who was also linked with the likes of Wolfsburg and Bayern München, but Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl doesn't want to put too much pressure on the youngster.

"Ricardo Pepi makes a great impression. We think long-term with him, he is still very young. He gives us another alternative up front," Weinzierl said ahead of Augsburg's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim tomorrow, which could see Pepi make his debut.

"But we need to give him time. We will be very, very careful with him. It's not his fault that the prices are so crazy."

Pepi scored 13 goals in 31 Major League Soccer games last year.

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