Austrian U19 talent Oliver Sorg moves from FC Augsburg to SV Ried

The player himself sees the move as a logical development in his career. „Für mich ist das jetzt der nächste gute Schritt“, explained Sorg. „Ich freue mich sehr auf die Bundesliga, auf spannende Matches vor diesem tollen Publikum“, the defender added. After Jussef Nasrawe and Stefan Schwab, Sorg is already the third new signing at Ried to move from Germany to the Innviertel.

Statements on the transfer

At FC Augsburg, the left-back made 25 appearances for the second team in the past season as well as six further matches for the club's U19. After only one year in Germany, the Austrian is thus returning to his homeland. FC Augsburg will continue to be coached by Mario Despotovic next season – however, this information relates to the coaching staff of SV Ried, which is coached in the Bundesliga by Mario Despotovic.

Wolfgang Fiala, Sporting Director at SV Oberbank Ried, sees more than just a squad building block in the signing of the youngster. „Die Verpflichtung von Oliver Sorg zeigt unseren Wert als Plattform für junge österreichische Spieler. So können wir auch einen kleinen Beitrag dazu leisten, dass unsere Nationalmannschaft auch in Zukunft bei Weltmeisterschaften vertreten ist“, emphasises Fiala.

Squad planning and further personnel matters

The signing of the U19 international is part of several personnel decisions with which SV Ried is reshaping its squad for the coming season. In addition to Sorg, Stefan Schwab, Jaedin Rhodes and a Faroese national team player have been signed, among others. Coach Mario Despotovic recently found clear words on squad planning: „Ich will kein Nobody sein.“

Alongside the arrivals, there is also a departure to report at the Black-Greens. GAK announced the departure of Tim Paumgartner. The 21-year-old midfielder is ending his professional career and is looking for a club in the Regionalliga.

On 31 July 2027, Sorg will celebrate his 20th birthday – by then already an established Bundesliga player in Ried. With him and the other new signings, SV Oberbank Ried aims to play a role in the upper echelons of the Austrian Bundesliga table next season. The club also announced that it would „noch mehrfach am Transfermarkt zuzuschlagen“.

Market value data, as of the cited sources, places Ried with a total market value of 159.90 million euros and a squad of 28 players. FC Augsburg, Sorg's previous employer, is listed with a squad of 32 players and a competition assignment to the Bundesliga.