Augsburg have confirmed that 22-year-old winger Yusuf Kabadayi will spend the 2026/27 campaign on loan with Croatian top-flight side HNK Rijeka. The Bundesliga club announced the move on Sunday. The two clubs have agreed not to disclose any further details concerning the transfer.
The latest move comes immediately after another year abroad for the former Bayern Munich academy talent. Kabadayi spent last season on loan with Turkish Süper Lig outfit Gaziantep FK, making 23 competitive appearances and scoring once. Augsburg now hope another campaign with regular senior football can aid the Munich native’s development.
The Croatian season is already underway, meaning Kabadayi should be able to enter competitive action with Rijeka immediately rather than spending another extended period waiting for meaningful minutes.
Kabadayi remains under contract with Augsburg through June 2028.
Yusuf Kabadayi embarks upon second successive loan
Get German Football News covered Kabadayi’s previous loan to Gaziantep last September. That move came after a difficult first year in Augsburg. FCA signed Kabadayi from Bayern Munich for approximately €1m in the summer of 2024 after the Germany youth international progressed through Bayern’s academy system.
He initially demonstrated promise as an energetic attacking option. Kabadayi scored his maiden Bundesliga goal after coming off the bench against FC St. Pauli in September 2024 and also registered an assist in Augsburg’s opening DFB-Pokal fixture against Viktoria Berlin.
His momentum was halted by a serious knee injury towards the end of the calendar year. The injury required surgery and ultimately restricted Kabadayi to just five Bundesliga substitute appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.
Kabadayi once featured in Sandro Wagner’s Augsburg plans
During Augsburg’s 2025 preseason, Kabadayi was once again competing for an attacking role. In GGFN’s 2025/26 Augsburg tactical preview, the winger emerged as one of several candidates for increased minutes under then-head coach Sandro Wagner.
Kabadayi’s pace and direct attacking qualities made him a potential alternative on the flank, particularly amid questions surrounding other members of Augsburg’s attacking corps. Regular Bundesliga football nevertheless remained difficult to secure.
Augsburg ultimately decided that another move represented the better path towards restoring the consistent match rhythm Kabadayi had lost following his injury. Gaziantep offered that opportunity.
Benni Weber on Kabadayi’s Rijeka loan
“The move to Rijeka gives Yusi the opportunity to collect further playing experience,” Augsburg sporting director Benni Weber said. “As the season in Croatia has already begun, he can enter competitive action directly. We wish him every success for the coming period.”
