FC Augsburg have announced the permanent signing of forward Rodrigo Ribeiro from Sporting Lisbon, securing his services on a long-term contract until 2031. The Bundesliga club activated the purchase option included in the loan deal that brought the 21-year-old to the WWK Arena earlier this year. Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed by either club.
Ribeiro joined Augsburg in January and quickly established himself as a regular member of the squad, making 14 appearances in the Bundesliga during the second half of the season. He scored two goals for FCA, demonstrating his potential as a dynamic attacking threat. His performances earned him recognition at international level, making his debut for the Portugal Under-21 team in March.
Sporting Lisbon signed Ribeiro from Benfica’s youth academy in 2020, and he progressed through their B team before earning opportunities in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. While he showed promise with Sporting, a consistent starting role proved elusive, leading to the loan move to Germany. Augsburg provided a platform for regular first-team football, which he seized upon.
Augsburg’s sporting director, Benni Weber, expressed the club’s satisfaction with the deal, stating Ribeiro has “made a very good impression” and possesses significant potential. Weber highlighted the player’s speed, runs in behind the defence, and finishing ability as qualities that align with Augsburg’s style of play. He also emphasized the club’s commitment to developing young talent, positioning Ribeiro’s arrival as part of that broader strategy.
The permanent acquisition of Ribeiro bolsters Augsburg’s attacking options ahead of the upcoming season, offering coach Jess Thorup another versatile forward. The move represents a successful outcome for both player and club, providing Ribeiro with a stable platform for development and Augsburg with a promising young talent to build around.
