FC Augsburg have strengthened their defensive line with the signing of Juma Bah. The 20-year-old Sierra Leonean centre-back joins on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, the club announced on September 7, 2026. Bah will wear the number 35 shirt and is seen as a direct replacement for Keven Schlotterbeck, who departed for Southampton in a permanent transfer. This news was first reported by www.bundesliga.com.
Sporting director Benjamin Weber expressed his satisfaction with the deal. "After Keven Schlotterbeck’s departure, it was important for us to specifically strengthen our central defense," Weber said. "With Juma, we have signed a talented player whose size, physique, and abilities make him a great fit for us." The new signing himself is excited about the move to the Bundesliga. "I’m very happy to be in Augsburg, a club where young players can develop very well," stated Juma Bah. "There are many recent examples of this. That’s why this move is the next right step for me."
Who is the new defender Juma Bah?
Juma Bah is a 20-year-old centre-back from Sierra Leone. He began his professional career in Spain with Real Valladolid before moving to Manchester City in January 2025. The defender spent the entire 2025/26 season on loan at French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, where he made 41 competitive appearances, gaining valuable experience in a top European league. At international level, Bah is already an established figure, having earned seven caps and scored one goal for the Sierra Leone national team. His profile as a physically strong, young defender matches the requirements of the Fuggerstädter.
Why was this signing necessary?
The move became necessary following the permanent departure of key defender Keven Schlotterbeck to Southampton during the current transfer window. This exit left a noticeable gap in manager Jess Thorup's defensive options. The acquisition of Juma Bah is a targeted response to this personnel change. Defensive stability is important for Augsburg, especially considering their current league position. Surprisingly, the FCA sits top of the Bundesliga table after two matchdays, having won both games for a perfect six points. They have scored seven goals while conceding only one, resulting in a healthy +6 goal difference. The full league standings are available on our standings page.
How does Bah fit into this season's squad?
Juma Bah arrives at a club enjoying a perfect start to the season. Recent victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt have generated significant optimism. Manager Jess Thorup now has an additional option for the centre-back positions, where experienced players like Felix Uduokhai and Reece Oxford are also available. The current injury list is manageable, with Anton Kade being the only confirmed absentee, giving Thorup flexibility in selection. All squad details can be found in the official squad section. Bah's experience from Ligue 1 and his international know-how are expected to add further solidity to the young team.
What are the immediate challenges?
The integration of the new signing must be swift, as the fixture list presents a major test immediately. On September 12, 2026, the league leaders host seventh-placed Bayer Leverkusen at the WWK ARENA. This home match is the next examination for Augsburg and could be an early season benchmark. The complete schedule for the coming weeks can be viewed on the fixtures page. For Juma Bah, this means he must adapt to his new team quickly. His loan deal runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, and he will wear the number 35 shirt.
