Frans Krätzig is leaving the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old, who was on loan from FC Bayern to 1. FC Heidenheim in the second half of the season, is joining RB Salzburg with immediate effect.
The loan agreement between FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Heidenheim, which had only secured its place in the league on Monday evening in a dramatic relegation play-off against SV Elversberg (2-1 shortly before the end), was terminated prematurely on Wednesday, as the Ostalbstädter announced.
However, the left-back will not be returning to Säbener Straße. Instead, he is leaving Germany and moving to RB Salzburg in Austria with immediate effect. He has signed a four-year contract there until June 30, 2029.
Salzburg? “I have a great platform here.”
“I want to help FC Red Bull Salzburg get back to where the club has been and where it belongs,” said Krätzig, explaining his reasons for the move. “I have a great platform here, which I want to use to further my career and give it a boost.” His primary goal is to settle in “as quickly as possible” in the city of Mozart and at RBS. Krätzig also expressed his long-term goals with the Red Bulls: “I want to find a home here for a long time.”
Krätzig is not entering completely new territory with this move. He was already on loan to Austria Vienna in the second half of the 2023/24 season, playing in both the Austrian Bundesliga and the Europa Conference League play-offs. Last season, Krätzig also played for VfB Stuttgart on loan in the first half of the season and then for 1. FC Heidenheim in the second half.
“In Frans Krätzig, we have signed a new player with excellent basic footballing skills and a high level of game intelligence,” said RB Salzburg, welcoming the 22-year-old on the club’s website. ‘Another positive aspect is that he can play in several positions, making him a versatile player.’
Krätzig made his competitive debut just a few days later, as RB Salzburg is participating in the Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 15. In Group H, they will face former Austrian runners-up Real Madrid, Saudi club Al-Hilal, and CF Pachuca from Mexico.