FC Augsburg has signed attacking player Arijon Ibrahimovic on loan from Bayern Munich and began the Bundesliga season with a convincing 3-0 home win against newly-promoted Schalke 04. The Fuggerstädter sit fourth in the table after the first matchday with three points and a perfect goal difference.
How did the first match against Schalke go?
According to a report from bundesliga.com, Augsburg defeated the returning Bundesliga side Schalke 04 3-0 on Saturday. Michael Gregoritsch opened the scoring in the 18th minute following an assist from Anton Kade. Kade made it 2-0 in the 80th minute before Rodrigo Ribeiro sealed the result in stoppage time. A red card for Schallenberg of Schalke in the 62nd minute proved decisive.
Manager Manuel Baum's team delivered a convincing performance and allowed the opponent few chances. With this win, Augsburg starts the season perfectly, having already scored three goals without conceding. The next challenge awaits on September 6th away at eighth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, as shown on our fixtures page.
What are the details of the Ibrahimovic transfer?
As reported by several media outlets, Augsburg has reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to loan 20-year-old Arijon Ibrahimovic. According to BILD and n-tv.de, the deal includes a loan fee of around 500,000 euros and a purchase option of approximately eight million euros for Augsburg. Bayern Munich has also secured a sell-on clause.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and Sky were first to report the agreement. Ibrahimovic completed his medical at his new club on Monday. The attacking player was originally planned for Bayern's first team, but sporting director Max Eberl surprisingly opened the door for a move. "If something happens that is concrete and could be interesting for both parties, we would be open," Eberl said according to BILD.
Where does Ibrahimovic fit into the Augsburg squad?
Ibrahimovic arrives in Augsburg as a flexible attacking player. Manager Manuel Baum sees great potential in the 20-year-old, according to the BILD report. The German-Kosovan could become a direct replacement for the departed Keven Schlotterbeck, although he was a defender.
The youngster already brings Bundesliga experience, having made 34 appearances for 1. FC Heidenheim last season. For Augsburg, the loan with an option to buy is a strategic deal to strengthen the attack. The current squad overview can be seen on our squad page.
What was the situation before the Schalke match?
Before the season opener, Augsburg reported no absences according to the Recklinghäuser Zeitung, but had to cope with the departure of Keven Schlotterbeck to Southampton. Manager Baum made one change compared to the DFB Cup win, giving Calvin Brackelmann his Bundesliga debut.
Schalke returned to the Bundesliga after 1,191 days and had seven debutants in their starting lineup. Augsburg captain Fabian Rieder led his team onto the pitch as skipper for the first time in the Bundesliga. The Fuggerstädter took their chances efficiently and secured three important points for the standings.
The next away match at Eintracht Frankfurt takes place on September 6, 2026.
