Dion Drena Beljo has sealed a potential £5 million move to Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg after admitting his interest in a dream move to Premier League duo Leeds United or Newcastle, per Sky Germany.
With long-serving forward Florian Niederlechner set to join Hertha Berlin on a free transfer at the end of the season, relegation-threatened Augsburg have moved quickly to secure the 32-year-old’s replacement.
Croatia U21 international Beljo scored nine times for NK Osijek in the first half of the season. He will now spend the second half and beyond in Germany, signing a long-term deal until the summer of 2027 at the WWK Arena.
“It was very impressive how FCA sold the club to me. They showed me the aims and prospects for the club,” Beljo tells Augsburg’s official website. “Which I can fully identify with.
“As a result, I am very happy about the move. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe, and it is very appealing to prove myself at this level. I would like to help the team with goals and assists as well as my attitude, so that we can be successful as a team.”
Dion Drena Beljo dreams of playing for Leeds United or Newcastle
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Augsburg will spend around £5 million on Beljo. He follows in the footsteps of another exciting young poacher; USA international Ricardo Pepi moving to Bavaria for a club-record fee 12 months ago.
“We’re proud that Dion Beljo has decided to join FCA” adds sporting director Stefan Reuter. “Despite plenty of interest from other clubs. We’ve gained a powerful centre-forward, who will strengthen our attacking play with his quality and power.”
Pick up where he left off in Croatia, and Beljo could use Augsburg as a stepping stone to something bigger. The 6ft 5ins targetman has made no secret of his desire to grace the Premier League stage, although his admiration for Newcastle comes not from his love of Alan Shearer but of the free-kick scoring, Anna Friel-wooing Santiago Munez.
“(One of my favourite teams is) Newcastle United,” Beljo tells Sky. “Because, as a child, I watched the film ‘Goal’ and the player in the film fulfilled his dream at Newcastle. I think Newcastle would be even better in real life, because of their financial power and their amazing supporters.
“I also like Leeds United, by the way.”
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