Latest injury likely to spell end of Baumgartlinger's playing career

By Peter Vice @ViceytheSS

A knee knock sustained in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt may end up spelling the end of Bundesliga veteran Julian Baumgartlinger’s long playing career.

Thirty-five-year-old Austrian midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger, presently with his third Bundesliga club, was already set to face questions about his future once his current contract with FC Augsburg expired at the end of the current season. While there was some interest in renewing with him from FCA club management, such interest is likely doused after the former Mainz and Leverkusen player suffered a devastating knee injury yesterday.

Brought on at the half to work in FCA trainer Enrico Maaßen’s midfield against Frankfurt yesterday, Baumgartlinger was unable to finish the match after taking a knock. Maaßen confirmed at his post-match presser yesterday that things were “not looking good” for the veteran. Maaßen reported heavy swelling. A more precise diagnosis is expected soon.

Baumgartlinger has made a total of 255 appearances for the three Bundesliga clubs he’s represented over the past 12 seasons. The Salzburg-native also played briefly in the second division with his youth academy club, 1860 München. Few clubs will likely be interested in procuring him as a free-agent this summer at this stage of his career, particularly not after the latest injury.