Augsburg's Mbuku joins teammate Cardona on loan at AS Saint-Étienne
FC Augsburg confirmed their second January loan-out to French Ligue 2 side AS Saint-Étienne late Sunday evening.
French winger Nathanaël Mbuku will spend the second half of the season with his FC Augsburg teammate Irvin Cardona on loan at French second division side AS Saint-Étienne. Germany's Fuggerstädter confirmed a six-month loan out for the 21-year-old late on Sunday evening. Mbuku joined Augsburg last January from Stade Reims one year ago, yet still hasn't been able to progress beyond the FCA reserves.
Mbuku made two brief relief appearances under previous FCA trainer Enrico Maaßen last spring and logged minutes off the bench on one occasion this year. He has regularly featured in the match-day squads of both Maaßen and current Augsburg head-coach Jess Thorup. The French Olympic representative also featured for the club's U23 squad thrice this season.
"We are convinced of Nathanaël's abilities and his potential," CA sporting director Marinko Jurendic noted in a club statement, "However, due to the competitive situation in the squad, we believe a loan at this time makes sense. Nathanaël should get as many playing minutes as possible in Saint-Étienne and continue to develop in order to return to Augsburg in the summer."