Augsburg complete Tietz capture
FC Augsburg officially confirmed the signing of SV Darmstadt 98 forward Phillip Tietz late yesterday.
Having already signed newly promoted SV Darmstadt 98's strongest defender, FC Augsburg have now officially completed the signing of the Hessen-based club's leading goal-scorer. Twenty-six-year-old striker Phillip Tietz moves to the Fuggerstadt on a new three-year-deal. The Braunschweig-native scored 12 goals and chipped in five assists for "die Lilien" in their promotion campaign last year.
Early reports indicate that Augsburg have paid a transfer fee of around €2.5 million. Tietz actually joined Darmstadt on a free from SV Wehen Wiesbaden two years ago. A surprise breakout campaign for his now former club during the 2021/22 season saw him score 15 goals, register nine assists, and pump nearly triple his estimated market worth.
Tietz now bulges the FC Augsburg striker corps to seven players. Irvin Cardona, Ermedin Demirovic, Dion Beljo, and the newly-acquired Sven Michel can also serve as center-forwards. It now appears more likely than ever that new permanent signing Mërgim Berisha and returning loan-out Maurice Malone will be headed elsewhere.
"With Phillip Tietz, we have gained a physically robust striker for us, who not only scored many goals for Darmstadt, but also led the way with passion, commitment and will," FCA sporting director Stefan Reuter remarked in a club statement accompanying the signing, "With his style of play and mentality, he fits perfectly into our young team."
"I thank Darmstadt for two wonderful and emotional years in Darmstadt, which I will remember for the rest of my life," Tietz himself added in a press release from his former club, "Not only because of our performances on the field, but also because of the strong cohesion within the club and with the fans."
"I'm really looking forward to wearing the jersey of FC Augsburg," Tietz continued on the FCA website, "The Bundesliga has always been my primary goal and I will work hard to prove myself week after week at the very highest level. Those who know me know that I give full throttle in every game and don't shy away from a single duel."