Contracts expire

Sturm in “good talks” with key players

Otar Kiteishvili (l.) and David Affengruber(Bild: GEPA)

While Sturm Graz fans are eagerly awaiting Sunday and the possible decision in the Bundesliga title race, sporting director Andreas Schicker gave an insight into the squad planning on Thursday. According to him, the club is in "good talks" with key players Otar Kiteishvili and David Affengruber, whose contracts expire in the summer. If the club wins the title and qualifies for the Champions League, they want to keep the players.

The title could be clinched as early as Sunday after a visit to LASK; the league leaders currently have a four-point lead over champions Salzburg with two rounds to go. The Bulls face Hartberg at the same time.

Champions League as an incentive
Winning the title, which would secure a ticket to the CL group stage, would also provide additional clarity for the contract talks. "We'll have to wait and see how the league turns out," emphasized Schicker. "We are in ongoing, good and very open talks with the players whose contracts are expiring. The fact is that they have not yet signed elsewhere. If we achieve great things, we will try to keep the players. And the Champions League would be something big."

Central defender Affengruber was recently linked with a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, while Georgian midfielder Kiteishvili is also likely to have received offers from abroad. Captain Stefan Hierländer's contract also expires in the summer.