The 2025/26 season finds FC Augsburg in a state of determined consolidation under the guidance of Jess Thorup, the Danish manager who took the helm in 2023 and has successfully maintained the club’s Bundesliga status while gradually improving their playing style. Die Fuggerstädter, named after the historic Fugger family of merchants, have become specialists in survival, extending their top-flight tenure to an impressive 15 consecutive seasons – a remarkable achievement for a club from Bavaria’s third-largest city. The WWK Arena, with its distinctive inflatable roof, has become a fortress where Augsburg consistently frustrate more illustrious opponents through organisation, physicality, and tactical discipline. This season’s squad reflects Thorup’s pragmatic identity: experienced defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate that exceeds the sum of individual parts. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinforcements rather than an overhaul, with Augsburg continuing to rely on undervalued assets and loan conversions. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Augsburg’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Finn Dahmen
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FSV Mainz 05
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Finn Dahmen has become Augsburg’s undisputed number one following his free transfer from Mainz, the German shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 27-year-old’s shot-stopping (75% save percentage in 2024/25, 74% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (86% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Augsburg’s survival campaigns. Dahmen’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 31 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Dahmen’s contract runs through 2028.
2. Daniel Klein
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Daniel Klein has accepted a rotational role behind Dahmen, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity. The 24-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Klein started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Dahmen’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Klein’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Marcel Lubik
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Marcel Lubik has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Augsburg’s youth setup. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (Captain)
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: SC Heerenveen, AZ Alkmaar, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2016)
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw has become Augsburg’s captain and longest-serving current player, the Dutch defender providing leadership, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence across ten seasons at the club. The 34-year-old’s reading of the game – intercepting passes (2.4 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs – provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (85%) leads Augsburg’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Gouweleeuw’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (87% completion) remains secure. Gouweleeuw’s partnership with Keven Schlotterbeck has conceded only 1.15 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Gouweleeuw’s contract runs through 2027, with a coaching role likely thereafter.
2. Keven Schlotterbeck
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: SC Freiburg, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2023)
Keven Schlotterbeck has become Gouweleeuw’s long-term partner, the German centre-back providing physicality, aerial presence, and tactical discipline following his arrival from SC Freiburg. The 28-year-old’s aerial duel success (84%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide defensive security. Schlotterbeck’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Chrislain Matsima
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: AS Monaco, FC Augsburg (loan)
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2025, following loan)
Chrislain Matsima’s permanent signing in summer 2025, following a successful loan from AS Monaco, added French youth pedigree, recovery pace, and centre-back depth to Augsburg’s squad. The 23-year-old’s recovery pace (35.1 km/h) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide functional cover. Matsima’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Mads Pedersen
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: FC Nordsjælland, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2023)
Mads Pedersen has become Augsburg’s first-choice left-back, the Danish defender providing energy, crossing, and defensive diligence across three seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Pedersen’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Robert Gumny
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: Lech Poznań, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2020)
Robert Gumny has become Augsburg’s first-choice right-back, the Polish international providing pace, crossing, and defensive improvement across six seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Gumny’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Dimitris Giannoulis
Nationality: Greek
Former Clubs: PAOK, Norwich City, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €4 million (2024)
Dimitris Giannoulis has provided left-back depth following his arrival from Norwich City, the Greek international offering pace and crossing. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Giannoulis’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Maximilian Bauer
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: SpVgg Greuther Fürth
Transfer Fee: €7 million (2022)
Maximilian Bauer has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Greuther Fürth, the German defender offering physicality and aerial presence. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
8. Patric Pfeiffer
Nationality: German (Ghanaian descent)
Former Clubs: Hamburger SV, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Patric Pfeiffer has provided centre-back depth following his free transfer from Hamburger SV, the German-Ghanaian defender offering physicality and aerial presence. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
9. Noahkai Banks
Nationality: American
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Noahkai Banks has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 18-year-old American centre-back representing the future of Augsburg’s defensive depth.
Midfielders
1. Elvis Rexhbeçaj
Nationality: German (Kosovan descent)
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg, FC Augsburg (loan), FC Augsburg (permanent)
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2023, following loan)
Elvis Rexhbeçaj has become Augsburg’s midfield engine, the German-Kosovan midfielder providing energy, tackling, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s tackling (3.2 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Augsburg’s midfield. His work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.5 pressures per 90) set Thorup’s standards. Rexhbeçaj’s passing (87% completion) remains secure; his role involves disruption and physical presence. Rexhbeçaj’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Arne Engels
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Club Brugge, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Arne Engels has become Augsburg’s midfield metronome, the Belgian international providing passing range, composure, and set-piece delivery following his arrival from Club Brugge. The 22-year-old’s passing (5.2 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure under pressure enable Augsburg to build play through midfield. Engels’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Kristijan Jakić
Nationality: Croatian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Augsburg (loan), FC Augsburg (permanent)
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2025, following loan)
Kristijan Jakić’s permanent signing in summer 2025, following a successful loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, added Croatian international tackling and midfield security to Augsburg’s squad. The 28-year-old’s tackling (3.0 per 90) and interceptions (2.4 per 90) provide functional depth. Jakić’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Frank Onyeka
Nationality: Nigerian (covered in Bayer Leverkusen; correct player for Augsburg is different)
Correction:
Augsburg’s Nigerian midfielder is Frank Onyeka – but he is on loan from Brentford to Leverkusen. Augsburg’s correct midfielder is Tim Breithaupt
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Karlsruher SC, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2023)
Tim Breithaupt has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Karlsruher SC, the German midfielder offering energy and tackling. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Frederik Winther
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: Lyngby Boldklub, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2022)
Frederik Winther has provided emergency midfield depth following his long service. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Alexis Claude-Maurice
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Lorient, OGC Nice, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2025)
Alexis Claude-Maurice’s summer 2025 arrival from OGC Nice added French creativity, dribbling, and attacking midfield depth to Augsburg’s squad. The 27-year-old’s dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Claude-Maurice’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Mahmut Kücüksahin
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Mahmut Kücüksahin has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 18-year-old midfielder representing the future of Augsburg’s midfield depth.
Forwards
1. Phillip Tietz
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: SV Darmstadt 98, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €4 million (2023)
Phillip Tietz has become Augsburg’s primary attacking weapon, the German striker providing physicality, finishing, and hold-up play across three seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (25%) provide consistent scoring threat. Tietz’s hold-up play (74% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (82%) occupy defenders, creating space for wingers and midfielders. Tietz’s work rate pressing centre-backs (10.7 pressures per 90) sets Augsburg’s defensive tone from the front. Tietz’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Samuel Essende
Nationality: French (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate (promoted)
Samuel Essende has provided striker depth following his promotion from Augsburg’s academy, the French-Congolese forward offering physicality and finishing. The 27-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Essende’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Steve Mounié
Nationality: Beninese
Former Clubs: Montpellier, Huddersfield Town, Stade Brestois
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Steve Mounié has provided veteran striker depth following his free transfer from Stade Brestois, the Beninese forward offering physicality, aerial presence, and hold-up play as Tietz’s understudy. The 31-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and aerial duel success (83%) provide functional depth. Mounié’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Rubén Vargas
Nationality: Swiss (Dominican descent)
Former Clubs: FC Luzern, FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: €2.5 million (2019)
Rubén Vargas has become Augsburg’s primary wide creator, the Swiss international providing pace, dribbling, and creativity from the left flank across seven seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. Vargas’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Mergim Berisha
Nationality: German (Kosovan descent)
Former Clubs: FC Red Bull Salzburg, Fenerbahçe (loan), TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, FC Augsburg (loan)
Transfer Fee: Loan from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (2025)
Mergim Berisha’s season-long loan from Hoffenheim added German-Kosovan finishing and forward depth to Augsburg’s attack. The 27-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Berisha’s loan expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.
6. Mert Kömür
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Mert Kömür has emerged as a promising wide option following his graduation from Augsburg’s academy, the Turkish-German winger providing pace, dribbling, and creativity. The 20-year-old’s finishing (2 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) suggests potential. Kömür’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Lukas Gerlspeck
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Augsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Lukas Gerlspeck has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 18-year-old forward representing the future of Augsburg’s attacking depth.
8. Irvin Cardona
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: AS Monaco, Club Brugge (loan), FC Augsburg
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Irvin Cardona has provided emergency wide depth following his free transfer from Club Brugge, the French winger offering pace and finishing. The 28-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Conclusion
Augsburg’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and organised group assembled during the club’s 15-year Bundesliga tenure, a testament to Jess Thorup’s pragmatic coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Matsima, Engels, Jakić), and the academy’s continued production (Klein, Banks, Kömür). The defence, anchored by Jeffrey Gouweleeuw’s Dutch leadership and Keven Schlotterbeck’s German physicality, provides platform for Augsburg’s organised, defensively sound survival system. The midfield, dominated by Elvis Rexhbeçaj’s energy and Arne Engels’s Belgian composure, controls matches through pressing, disruption, and tactical discipline. The attack, headlined by Phillip Tietz’s German physicality and Rubén Vargas’s Swiss creativity, carries sufficient goal threat to secure survival. Crucially, Augsburg has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Engels, Matsima, and Tietz represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Bundesliga status for a 16th consecutive season – a remarkable achievement for a club of Augsburg’s modest means – while continuing to develop players for profitable sales. Yet the WWK Arena’s intimate, passionate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Augsburg does not hope merely to survive; they expect to frustrate established giants and secure improbable results through organisation and resilience. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of Bundesliga football.
