Augsburg have begun pre-season under new signing Hennes Behrens from Hoffenheim. The 21-year-old left-back arrives on a deal running until June 2031 as the FCA aim for a top-10 finish. With 43 points, Augsburg sit ninth in the Bundesliga, but manager Manuel Baum is targeting more. „Why shouldn’t it be better than last season?“ he said after the opening session, remaining upbeat: „Right now, nothing speaks against it.“
Who is the new man?
Behrens, developed at Hoffenheim and capped in the Bundesliga, brings experience. He spent the second half of 2025/26 on loan at 1. FC Heidenheim. Sporting director Benni Weber said: „He’s already shown his quality at this level.“ Behrens joined new arrivals Sima Suso, Faik Sakar and Calvin Brackelmann for a group photo. Also present were longer-term recruits Rodrigo Ribeiro and Yannik Keitel.
Why the move?
Augsburg are chasing a top-10 spot after scoring 45 and conceding 61 (-16) last term. Behrens is seen as key to that push. Baum praised the incoming class: „We’ve brought in or kept players who fit the club’s culture and are top on the pitch.“ The squad may yet change: „I’m pragmatic about it.“
What’s next?
Pre-season features six friendlies. The first, on 18 July at 14:00 in the Rosenaustadion, is against a regional select side. From 1–8 August, the team heads to Achenkirch, Austria for a training camp. The toughest test comes on 15 August at 16:00 at Leeds United under Daniel Farke.
The competitive season kicks off in the DFB-Pokal on 22 August at 13:00 at FC Energie Cottbus. A week later, the Bundesliga campaign begins. Baum stayed measured: „We have good conditions – now it’s about delivering.“
Augsburg trail leaders Bayern München by 46 points and are chasing a top-10 finish. With Behrens and the new signings, the club eyes the next step – and maybe even a tilt at European places.
