Football-Bundesliga - FC Augsburg signs Defender-Prospect - Camp in South Africa
FC Augsburg has signed the next promising talent, defender Felix Meiser (17), and midfielder Mahmut Kücüksahin (20). The Bundesliga team announced that Meiser has received a long-term contract. The club, currently preparing in South Africa for the upcoming season, did not disclose the contract length.
Meiser played 22 games for the U17 and two games for the U19 of Augsburg last season. He also appeared twice for the German U16 national team.
Summercamp in South Africa
"At 17 years old, Felix Meiser was able to make his debut in the second half of the previous season for the U19 due to his athletic and defensive strengths. As a young U19 player, he will now be guided towards professional football at the U23 and the first team with targeted individual support in talent management", explained Sport Director Marinko Jurendic.
The professionals are preparing for the new season outside of Europe for the first time. Jess Thorup and his team will train in South Africa until July 28. "The highest priority is football", said the Danish coach before the journey to White River in the province of Mpumalanga in the northeast of the country. "It's also about creating experiences for each individual and the entire team."
A visit to the Kruger National Park is planned, and the Augsburg team also wants to leave a mark on the local population. For the next three years, a project will be supported for which the German Football League, which considers such marketing trips abroad important, will provide funding. This project aims to sensitize behaviors around water, sanitation, and hygiene.
As part of the camp, FC Augsburg will also participate in a tournament of the South African first-division team TS Galaxy. The "Mpumalanga Premier's International Tournament 2024" will take place at Mbombela Stadium, formerly Nelspruit Stadium, where ten match venues of the 2010 World Cup were located. FC Augsburg will play against Young Africans SC, the record champion of Tanzania, on this Saturday and a week later against TS Galaxy.
- Despite being based in Germany, FC Augsburg is currently in South Africa for their summer camp, preparing for the upcoming Football-Bundesliga season.
- Born in Germany, Felix Meiser, the new signing of FC Augsburg, has already represented the German U16 national team and showcased his talents in the U17 and U19 teams of the club.
- In contrast to some German Bundesliga teams like Bayern Munich, which often hire international stars, FC Augsburg focuses on nurturing local talent, as seen in the signing of Meiser and Kučeksahin.
- After an impressive performance in the U19 team of FC Augsburg, Felix Meiser will now receive targeted individual support to transition towards the U23 and first team, as per the plans of Sport Director Marinko Jurendic.
- The upcoming tournament in South Africa, the "Mpumalanga Premier's International Tournament 2024," will feature FC Augsburg competing against international teams, such as TS Galaxy of South Africa and Young Africans SC from Tanzania.
