Bundesliga
Augsburg sign Niklas Dorsch
Augsburg have secured the services of former Bayern Munich midfielder Niklas Dorsch, a UEFA U21 Euros winner with Germany this past summer.
Dorsch, who came through the Bayern youth ranks and made one appearance for the club's senior side before moving on to Heidenheim in 2018, spent the 2020/21 season in Belgium with Gent. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal.
"We're delighted that Niklas chose us over other clubs, including some playing in UEFA competition," said Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter. "With his abilities as a footballer and mentality, he's the perfect fit for the club."
Dorsch started five of the Germany U21s' six matches at the U21 Euros, only missing the quarter-final shoot-out win over Denmark through suspension. The trophy marked his fourth as a pro, after back-to-back DFL Supercups and the 2017/18 Bundesliga at Bayern. He scored on his only senior outing for the record champions in a Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt, before dropping down a division with Heidenheim.
Dorsch registered three goals and eight assists in 62 Bundesliga 2 matches, and was part of the Heidenheim team that lost the 2020 promotion/ relegation play-off to Werder Bremen on the away-goals rule. The former Nuremberg youth player - who also represented Germany's U15s, 17s, 19s and 20s - turned out 43 times in all competitions for Gent last term, producing four goals and as many assists.
Watch: Skip to 00:23 to relive Niklas Dorsch's debut Bundesliga goal
"It was impressive how much effort the people in charge at Augsburg went to," commentated Dorsch. "The chemistry was right from the start, which feels great. The overall package is key. I can't wait to get going at Augsburg and in the Bundesliga."
Dorsch had been called up to Germany's Summer Olympics squad, but will instead begin pre-season training with Augsburg. He could make his competitive debut for his new employers against fifth-tier Greifswald in the DFB Cup first-round on the weekend 6-9 August.