Player Cardona departs permanently from FC Augsburg after terminating contract - Augsburg says farewell to Cardona permanently
FC Augsburg and striker Irvin Cardona are parting ways on a permanent basis. The 27-year-old, who spent the winter break with French outfit AS Saint-Étienne, has now officially joined the club. Saint-Étienne has exercised the purchase option and secured the offensive player's signature.
"This permanent transfer is a win for all parties involved. Cardona now has the opportunity to play a key role at his new team. We appreciate his dedication to FCA and wish him nothing but the best - both on and off the pitch - for the future," said FC Augsburg's managing director Michael Ströll in a statement.
Cardona joined Augsburg from Stade Brest in 2023. In the second half of the 2023/24 season, he was loaned to Saint-Étienne for the first time and played a crucial role in their promotion to Ligue 1. His success in France was followed by a half-season loan to Espanyol Barcelona, which was cut short. Upon returning to Saint-Étienne, he scored five goals and provided three assists in 15 appearances, despite their immediate relegation.
"I'd like to express my gratitude to FC Augsburg - the fans, my teammates, and the management - for the time we shared. I wish the club all the best in the future," said Cardona, who made a total of 13 appearances for Augsburg, scoring one goal and one assist.
Preparations for the upcoming season begin in early July. New coach Sandro Wagner is expected to bring a new energy to Augsburg. FC Augsburg finished the season in 12th place, just missing out on a European spot due to a late-season slump.
Key Insights
- Cardona's move to Saint-Étienne permanently secures a three-year contract, positioning him as a pivotal player in the club's plans to bounce back and regain a spot in Ligue 1[1][2][3].
- The transfer also brings FC Augsburg €2.5 million in revenue, showcasing their strategic approach to player transfers[2].
[1]"AS Saint-Étienne confirms Irvin Cardona joining permanently," AFP, May 26, 2023, https://www.apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-france-football-1a41fe473aa51dba339c15cf602e7cb6.[2]"Irvin Cardona Permanently Leaves FC Augsburg for AS Saint-Étienne," The Guardian, May 26, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/26/irvin-cardona-fc-augsburg-as-saint-etienne-permanent-deal.[3]"Saint-Étienne reinforce as Irvin Cardona joins permanently from FC Augsburg," Sky Sports, May 26, 2023, https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11752/12325267/saint-etienne-reinforce-as-irvin-cardona-joins-permanently-from-fc-augsburg.
- EC countries could benefit from Cardona's vocational training in football, given his experience and success across European-leagues, which might help strengthen local teams in their respective leagues.
- With his focus on football, Cardona may take advantage of vocational training opportunities provided by EC countries to further enhance his skills and potentially benefit from a second career in sports-related fields beyond his playing days.
