Just a day after the signing of Stefan Stangl from SC Wiener Neustadt, SK Rapid Vienna is delighted to announce two new arrivals ahead of the coming 2014/15 tipico Bundesliga season:In Stefan Schwab (born 27.9.1990) we have signed a forward thinking central midfield player from Admira Wacker who had become an important cog in his teams attacking successes in the previous season. Schwab made 30 Bundesliga appearances in 2013/14, scoring four goals. The 23 year old Salzburg born player has signed a contract that will keep him in Hütteldorf until Summer 2017. Schwab spent his formative years with home town club Saalfeldner SK, before joining the Red Bull Salzburg academy, from where he was sent out on loan to Admira. Following a successful season that saw the South City side promoted to Austria's top flight, Schwab agreed terms to move permanently from Red Bull. Sporting Director Andreas Müller gave his thoughts on the capture of the former Austria U21 international: "Stefan Schwab is an important signing for us, having developed as he did into a leader in the Admira squad. We're happy to be able to welcome him to the club and wish him well in making the next step up!"Heading in the other direction is midfielder Eldis Bajrami (21 years old), who joins Admira on a 12 month loan. In the previous season Bajrami trained with the first team, making two competitive appearances, but played the bulk of his football for the reserves in the Regional League East where he made 20 appearances scoring three goals.Andreas Kuen is another player to have signed in Hütteldorf. The 19 year old utility midfielder has signed for us from relegated Wacker Innsbruck on a contract until 2018. The youngster made 11 appearances during the 2013/14 Bundesliga season, scoring one goal. Kuen's appearances were however limited due to injury. In 2012 Kuen took the step from Wacker's reserve side to the first team, where he made his debut in a match against Rapid (a 4:0 victory for us). At international level he has represented Austria at both U17 and U18 levels. Sporting Director Andreas Müller talked to us about the transfer: "We had the target of bringing Andreas Kuen to the club before his contract ran out, so we're delighted that its worked out. He's an immensely talented player who has overcome his serious injury and is a great match for Rapid Vienna!"Trainer Zoran Barisic added: "Just like with Stefan Schwab, Andreas Kuen is a player we've been tracking for a long time. Therefore its a great feeling to be able to welcome both of them to the club. Kuen is a player who could have a great future before him. With his injury lay off in mind, we'll nurse him into the first team step by step. In Schwab we have a signing who has already demonstrated his potential in the Bundesliga. We expect him to be a great addition to the squad and increase competition for places in the midfield. I'm delighted for Eldis Bajrami that he has gone out on loan to Admira, and I hope he'll get more minutes on the pitch there, and that he can produce the sort of performances we know he is capable of!"
10.06.2014