FC Augsburg have announced the departure of defender Cédric Zesiger, with the 28-year-old Swiss centre-back returning to former club BSC Young Boys on a permanent basis. The Bundesliga outfit confirmed the move after the player requested to leave for personal reasons following an 18-month spell in Germany.
Zesiger made 44 appearances across all competitions during his time at the WWK Arena. The defender established himself as a regular option in the squad after initially joining from Young Boys, but ultimately prioritised returning closer to his native Switzerland over continuing his career in the Bundesliga.
Club grants exit request
Augsburg sporting director Benjamin Weber revealed that Zesiger approached the club to facilitate the transfer back to his former side. “Cédric approached us with a request to return to his native Switzerland due to personal reasons,” Weber explained. “In the interests of the player, we wanted to accommodate this request and, together with Young Boys, found a solution that works well for all parties involved.”
Weber thanked the defender for his contributions to the team during his stay, adding: “We would like to thank Cédric for his commitment over the past one-and-a-half years and wish him all the very best, both personally and professionally, back home.”
Difficult decision for defender
Despite his desire to leave, Zesiger emphasised that he valued his time at the German club. “This was not an easy decision for me because I always felt very comfortable at FCA,” he admitted. “However, on a personal level, it is very important for me to be closer to home again.”
The Swiss defender expressed his appreciation for the club’s cooperation: “I’m grateful to FCA for making this move possible and wish the club, the team and all the fans a successful season.”
The permanent transfer sees Young Boys reacquire a player who previously featured for the Swiss side before his switch to German football. For Augsburg, the departure reduces their defensive depth, having lost a player who featured 44 times during his 18-month stay.