Sky Bet Championship side Brentford have announced the signing of Konstantin Kerschbaumer from FC Admira Wacker Mödling, with the Austrian central midfielder penning a four-year contract at Griffin Park.
The 23-year-old only joined the Austrian Bundesliga side in January, but had a big impact as he played 16 games as Admira just avoided relegation to the 2.Bundesliga.
A new transfer policy at Brentford
But the Bees confirmed on their official website that Kerschbaumer, who has been capped by his country up to U19 level, has joined for an undisclosed fee, as the club tries to revolutionise its recruitment department through the use of stats.
Brentford head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen, himself a new arrival at Griffin Park after recently joining from Eredivisie side FC Eindhoven, said that he was "delighted" that the youngster has put pen to paper, describing Kerschbaumer as a "box to box midfield player" who he thinks "will add verstality" to the Bees squad.
Phil Giles, the co-director of football at Brentford brought in to oversee the new statistical model policy that was in use at FC Midtjylland, who are also owned by Brentford owner Matthew Benham, spoke highly about the Bees new signing, saying Kerschbaumer "was at Admira for a relatively short period" but that he has shown that "he is a talented player who can develop further".
Giles also said, “He is ambitious to play for the Austrian national team and we hope we can help him achieve this aim at Brentford.”
Last year was a productive season for Kerschbaumer
Kerschbaumer started his career at Austrian giants Rapid Vienna, before moving on St. Pölten in 2012, helping the tiny Austrian side to the Austrian Cup final and to Europa League qualification.
The now 23-year-old moved to Admira in January, and helped the side stay up, finishing one place ahead of relegated Wiener Neustadt in 9th. He made 16 appearances and scored one goal in his six-month spell at Admiraner.