WSG Tirol signs Husein Balic on a free transfer from Poland

In Austria's top flight, Balic has previously played for St. Pölten, LASK, and Altach. Via LASK, he even made the leap to Austria's national team (one international match in November 2020). These stops illustrate that the Austrian-born player knows the domestic league from various perspectives.

The now-30-year-old made 150 appearances (17 goals, 18 assists) in Austria's top flight. This record underscores his experience, even though he has not been a regular fixture in Austrian top-flight football in recent years.

Stefan Köck, sporting director of WSG Tirol, expressed his delight at the transfer. "Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir Husein Balic für die WSG Tirol gewinnen konnten. Er wird unserem Offensivspiel zusätzliche Qualität verleihen", Köck is quoted as saying in the club's announcement. The club thus attributes a central role in attacking play to the new signing.

Voices on the transfer

Balic himself also had his say after putting pen to paper. "Ich bin extrem froh, wieder im Lande zu sein. Die Entscheidung für die WSG ist mir sehr leichtgefallen", said the attacking player. The move back to the Austrian Bundesliga is likely also of personal significance for him, having most recently been active abroad.

For WSG Tirol, the signing is a signal with regard to the upcoming Austrian Bundesliga season. The club from Wattens wants to strengthen its attack and is relying on a player who knows the league and already brings international experience.

WSG Tirol plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the clubs that regularly battles to remain in the top flight. With Balic, the club hopes to gain additional cutting edge in attack. Sporting director Köck pointed to the quality the new signing is expected to bring to the attacking play.

Parallel transfer in Hartberg

Parallel to the signing of Balic, another Austrian Bundesliga club also announced a new arrival: TSV Hartberg, based in eastern Styria, announced on Monday the signing of midfielder Florian Gerstl. The 23-year-old has been given a two-year contract.

Gerstl moves from Vienna Regionalliga side SR Donaufeld to Hartberg, thus stepping up from the lower divisions to the top tier of professional football. The midfielder had attracted attention in the Regionalliga Ost and is now getting the chance to prove himself in the Bundesliga.

Both clubs evidently used the start of the week to advance their squad planning for the upcoming season. While WSG Tirol is banking on an experienced returnee, Hartberg is building with Gerstl on a young player from the lower leagues.

Significance for WSG Tirol

Balic's move is notable for several reasons. First, a player with senior national team experience is returning to the domestic league, which is not an everyday occurrence in this form. Second, the transfer comes at no fee, which simplifies the financial framework for WSG Tirol.

Third, Balic brings experience from three different Bundesliga clubs. This versatility could help him slot quickly into the WSG Tirol system. The club hopes that the attacking player can pick up where he left off with his previous performances.

For WSG Tirol, this marks the start of another phase of squad planning in which experience and youth are set to play a role. Balic is intended to provide a boost in attacking play and support the team in the coming season.

Outlook for the season

The transfer comes at a time when many Austrian Bundesliga clubs are reshaping their squads. With Balic, WSG Tirol has signed a player who knows the league and, despite his age, is likely to still have room for development.

Overall, Monday showcases two different transfer strategies: WSG Tirol has signed a 30-year-old returnee on a free transfer, while Hartberg is going with 23-year-old Gerstl, a young player from the Regionalliga. Both clubs are thus pursuing clearly defined plans for the upcoming season.