FC Augsburg sign Chrislain Matsima from Monaco

One-year loan with an option to buy

FC Augsburg have secured the services of 22-year-old centre-back Chrislain Matsima on the final day of the summer transfer window. The France U21 international has moved to the Fuggerstadt on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. Both parties have elected not to disclose the finer details of the contract.

Matsima recently represented France at the Olympics in Paris and helped his country win a silver medal. The centre-back played the full 90 minutes in a group game against New Zealand. Matsima’s football career began in AS Monaco’s youth academy and he has appeared in 50 Ligue 1 games for the Monegasque side, in addition to five matches in the Europa League. In the past couple of seasons, the 22-year-old was sent on six-month loan deals to fellow Ligue 1 clubs Clermont Foot and FC Lorient.

“I was convinced straight away by my talks with FC Augsburg. The club presented a very clear vision to me that fit my expectations perfectly. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world and I’m sure that the conditions here are perfect for a young player like me to develop. I’m looking forward to a new challenge in Augsburg. I’m ready to give it my all,” said Chrislain Matsima.

“In Chrislain Matsima, we’ve picked up the reinforcement we wanted for our centre-back department. He’s a young, talented player who has been nurtured at a top-quality set-up. Chrislain has played for France at every youth level and has a lot of potential. He gives us a lot of options at the back thanks to his quality as a player, size and pace. We’re looking forward to our journey together and helping him to develop during his time here at FCA,” stated Augsburg sporting director Marinko Jurendic.