Ex-Leeds United loan man Jean-Kevin Augustin ends near three-year wait for a goal - Leeds Live 12/9/22
Augustin is finally putting his Leeds United nightmare behind him
Former Leeds United striker Jean-Kevin Augustin netted his
first competitive goals in almost three years on Sunday. Augustin netted two
for his new club Basel as they defeated Grasshoppers 5-1 in the Swiss Super
League.
The 25-year-old has been looking to get his career back on
track since the injury nightmare of his Leeds spell, which until now he has
been unable to do. He endured an injury disrupted time at Nantes over the last
two seasons, where he was able to make just 11 appearances without scoring.
Swiss side Basel, though, were prepared to take a chance on
his fitness and it has taken him just 77 minutes of football to repay that
faith. He wrote on his Instagram after the match that is a moment he has been
longing for a ‘long time’.
He said: “Doubled today and the win. Been waiting for this
moment for a long time, those who know me know what I went through. Thanks to
all those who supported me, to my coach and to my teammates for the confidence.
This is just the beginning.”
Leeds, of course, still remain locked in a dispute with
Augustin’s former club Red Bull Leipzig over whether they have to pay the €20
million permanent option that was included in his loan deal. The Whites agreed
to sign him permanently upon promotion to the Premier League, however the
season was suspended and restarted in June 2020.
Due to another serious injury, Leeds sent Augustin back to
Leipzig at the beginning of July, before going onto win promotion. Leipzig
insisted that Leeds had to pay the permanent fee, while Leeds argued they
wouldn’t pay because the loan officially ended on June 30.
FIFA stepped in and ruled in Leipzig’s favour, but Leeds
appealed and it went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The case was heard
in March, but a decision has not yet been made.
