Austria extends contract with homegrown player Florian Wustinger

Florian Wustinger's tale of woe began in the summer of 2022, when the then 19-year-old rising star suffered his first cruciate ligament rupture after five Bundesliga appearances. No sooner had he returned to full team training in July 2023 than he suffered a second cruciate ligament rupture in his first match for partner club SV Stripfing. But ‘Wusti’ didn't give up: he worked his way back again and celebrated his comeback in the fall of 2024. After three appearances in November and December, the next piece of bad news followed at the subsequent training camp in January 2025 – a third cruciate ligament rupture.

Florian Wustinger is currently well on his way back again. He has already been fully integrated into the Young Violets' team training, and the defensive midfielder is set to make his comeback to the first team during winter preparations.

Sports director Michael Wagner: "Florian Wustinger has had an incredibly difficult journey. It's impressive how positive he has always remained and how consistently he is working on his comeback. We see great potential in Wusti—he is a child of Austria and has all the attributes of a modern number six. We are convinced that his talent, character, and unconditional will will see him succeed with us—despite all the setbacks."

Florian Wustinger: "I am overjoyed and incredibly grateful that Austria has supported me so much over the years and is now placing its trust in me once again—that is anything but a matter of course. I will do everything I can to repay that trust. The past few years have been anything but easy for me, which makes it all the more wonderful to be able to continue being part of my club. I am looking forward to the future with great joy. It's just so much fun to be back on the pitch with the guys – in those moments, I forget all the fear and pain that was once there."