Mainz 05 has officially secured the permanent transfer of Austrian international defender Stefan Posch from Serie A club Como, following a productive six-month loan at the MEWA Arena. The deal, reportedly worth around €4 million, marks Posch's return to the Bundesliga after he initially joined Mainz on loan in January 2023.
During his loan spell, Posch quickly became a key figure in the Mainz defense under head coach Urs Fischer, starting all 16 Bundesliga matches after his arrival on January 22, 2023. His versatility allowed him to play primarily on the right side of a three-man defensive setup, although he is also capable of operating in a central role or as a right-back. Posch's contributions were not limited to domestic play; he also made a significant impact in Mainz's European campaign, scoring in both the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 and quarter-finals.
Before his loan to Mainz, Posch had joined Como permanently from Bologna for approximately €5.5 million earlier in January 2023. The absence of a purchase option in his initial loan agreement necessitated negotiations between the two clubs for a permanent transfer. Mainz's sporting director Christian Heidel confirmed that Como was open to discussions, and Posch himself expressed a desire to return to the club where he had found success.
Heidel emphasized Posch's importance to the team, stating, "Poschi came to us last winter to put himself in contention for the World Cup with Austria and immediately helped us. Stefan integrated extremely quickly and immediately made us better. He is a versatile player with a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga and at international level." This sentiment reflects the defender's significant role in the team's performance during the latter half of the season.
While Mainz has not officially disclosed the duration of Posch's new contract, reports from Kicker suggest that it spans at least three years, with the possibility of an additional year. This long-term commitment indicates Mainz's confidence in Posch's abilities and potential contributions to the squad.
Expressing his enthusiasm about rejoining Mainz, Posch remarked, "Even though the sporting situation was difficult in the winter, I realized that Mainz 05 was perfect for me. It simply clicked immediately. I am very happy that I can continue to be part of this team and I am really looking forward to the new season." His excitement is shared by the club as they prepare for the upcoming challenges in both domestic and European competitions.
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