Mainz 05 sign Phillip Tietz

1. FSV Mainz 05 have secured the services of Phillip Tietz. The 28-year-old forward joins from Bundesliga rivals FC Augsburg and has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Bruchweg, with an option for a further year. The transfer fee is undisclosed. Tietz completed his medical on Friday morning and will be out on the training pitch with his new teammates in time for the start of training after the turn of the year.

The powerful centre-forward featured in all 34 league matches in each of the past two seasons for Augsburg, scoring a total of 15 Bundesliga goals. Born in Braunschweig, Tietz knows the Rhine-Main region well: prior to his spell at Augsburg, he spent two years apiece with SV Wehen Wiesbaden and SV Darmstadt 98, netting 16 and 27 league goals respectively.

“Exactly the attacking reinforcement we were looking for”

Sporting director Niko Bungert commented: “Phillip Tietz is exactly the attacking reinforcement we were looking for. He’s an experienced, combative centre-forward who, at 1.90 metres tall, brings real power and physical presence to create a goal threat – something he has proven reliably over recent years. We’re delighted to have been able to bring him to Mainz.”

Phillip Tietz added: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge here in Mainz and I’m keen to play my part in getting us out of the lower reaches of the table as quickly as possible. The talks with the club’s management were excellent. The club suits me and my character very well. My whole family – and especially my wife, who’s from the region – are really excited about Mainz.”