The positive news first: Bundesliga soccer team FC Blau-Weiß Linz announced the first important contract extension for the future this Thursday. Paul Mensah will stay with the Linzers until summer 2026.
“Paul is an absolute top performer and also represents our game. He acts very intensively and always has a smile on his face. He has improved a lot in the Bundesliga,” says coach Gerald Scheiblehner, happy about the extension.
The 24-year-old moved to the blue-whites from Romanian first division club FC Botosani in the winter of 2022 and developed into a regular player. Since then he has appeared in 69 competitive games and scored 10 goals. “I am very pleased to extend my contract with FC Blau-Weiß Linz until 2026. I have been able to develop and improve very well here over the last two years. I still have a lot of plans for the team and will give everything for this club and the fans,” says Paul Mensah.
Bad news
The club also had some real bad news to report: winter newcomer Joao Luiz was seriously injured during Wednesday training and tore his Achilles tendon. The winger had surgery yesterday and will be out for months.
Nevertheless, the club decided to keep the Brazilian’s contract. “At the time of the transfer there were already discussions about where to stay. Despite the injury, we will offer him a contract, as was originally planned. We also want to give him security and not let him down,” says BW sports director Christoph Schösswendter. This should be a contract for one year plus an option for a further year.
Further extensions could follow in the coming weeks. Schösswendter: “I am confident that we will be able to announce further extensions soon.”
Video: Blau-Weiß sports director Christoph Schösswendter in an interview:
Author
Raphael Watzinger
Sports editor
Raphael Watzinger
