The Pellets WAC is selling its top striker to France and is collecting a record sum for it. The Carinthians confirmed the transfer of Mohamed Bamba to Ligue 1 bottom club FC Lorient on Friday evening. According to media reports, the transfer fee for the 22-year-old Ivorian is said to be almost five million euros. As the most expensive departure in WAC history, Bamba replaces the Israeli Shon Weissman, who moved to Real Valladolid in August 2020 for around four million.
GEPA/Christian Moser
Bamba also moved from Israel to Wolfsberg in the summer – from second division club Hapoel Rishon leZion. In 17 competitive games for the WAC, Bamba scored eight goals and provided four assists, but was particularly impressive with his speed. “Mohamed Bamba has a great career ahead of him,” said WAC President Dietmar Riegler, who can look forward to a windfall. “The transfer to one of the top five leagues is an honor for the entire club and makes us very proud.”
Lorient may have been prepared to dig deep into their pockets in the fight to stay in the league. In 2020, the club from Brittany had already spent nine million euros on the then ÖFB team striker Adrian Grbic. The 27-year-old is now on the sidelines in Lorient. Bamba received a contract until summer 2028.
Ambivalent feelings for Coach Schmid
Coach and sports director Manfred Schmid reported ambivalent feelings after the departure of his top scorer. “From a sporting director’s perspective, it’s nice to be able to take the next step in Mo’s career, which will bring great financial benefit to the club,” Schmid said in a statement.
“From a coaching perspective, we are losing a top player who was one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga.” It is no secret that Bamba was his dream player in the summer. “Due to the great development in the few months, the transfer is no surprise. Of course the transfer plans are changing now.”
