On loan: Austria Wien brings Ranftl back to Austria from Schalke 04
After just one year in Schalke 04 kit, Reinhold Ranftl’s first adventure abroad is over for the time being. The 30-year-old turns his back on the Bundesliga promoted team and moves to Austria on loan for a year, where he joins Wiener Austria.
Reinhold Ranftl will work on the right side of Wiener Austria in the future.
imago images/Joachim Sielski
Wiener Austria surprises with the signing of wing defender Reinhold Ranftl, who after just one year at FC Schalke 04 is leaving Germany and moving back to Austria. For a long time, city rivals Rapid were traded as favorites to transfer the 30-year-old defender, but head coach Manfred Schmid’s team has now been awarded the six-time Austria international. Ranftl signed a one-year loan contract with the third-placed player last season.
Experience for the young team
“Reinhold Ranftl is a leading player who brings an unbelievable mentality to the pitch and can act as a role model for our youngsters. He can occupy several positions on the right-hand side, is extremely strong on the run and will definitely be an absolute asset for our tasks in the autumn”, said sports director Manuel Ortlechner about the transfer coup. “He has a highly professional approach and is also a good character off the field. He simply has a lot of qualities that we expect from an Austria player. I’m pleased that he has chosen us because he also has offers from some other clubs,” continued Ortlechner.
The long-time LASK professional only switched to Schalke 04 in the summer after six years in Linz, where he was able to celebrate the championship title and return to the Bundesliga, but was unable to earn a regular place at the club from Gelsenkirchen. Ranftl was only used 15 times in the second Bundesliga, plus one game in the DFB Cup. The defender played his last game for the Royal Blues on March 13 in a 3-0 win over FC Ingolstadt, where he was substituted after 52 minutes of the game.
Now the native of Styria is returning to Austria, where he is hoping for more playing time when he was third in the Bundesliga last season in order to get his faltering career back on track. “I’m happy about the change, it’s a great step for me. The talks with the coach and the sporting management have convinced me that Austria has a clear plan that suits my style of play. I want to do that this season play as many games as possible, play football with fun and passion and find my way back to my old strengths,” said Ranftl enthusiastically about his transfer to Vienna.
With his experience, the six-time Austrian national player should support Coach Schmid’s young team and bring his international experience to the upcoming European Cup games. For LASK he has already played in 16 games in the Europa League group stage and in six games in the Europa League and four games in the Champions League qualification.