Dawda Bah's contract terminated by Augsburg

Dawda Bah part ways with Augsburg

German Bundesliga club FC Augsburg have terminated the contract of Gambia international attacking midfielder Dawda Bah after a tough start to his career in Bavaria.

The 29-year-old has struggled for form since joining Augsburg during Jos Luhukay’s reign as coach and was since sidelined with an injury that ruled him out for a lengthy period of time.

Bah’s only appearance in the Bundesliga lasted just 13 minutes, when he came off the bench to replace Axel Bellinghausen in Augsburg’s fifth game of the 2011/2012 campaign, which was a 4-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen before sustaining the training ground injury.

The former HJK Helsinki and Kokkolan Palloveikot midfielder was confident that he can soon begin training again and at least have some appearances again for the team but it didn’t go his way as his last operation was another setback in his Augsburg career.

It was recently reported that the Gambian midfielder was suspended from the team for lateness in training which later culminated in the club informing him that his services are no longer needed and can leave.

However, Augsburg has now revealed that the parties have agreed to a mutual termination of his contract.

"After his long hiatus due to his serious injury, Dawda Bah was indeed back in the team training, but he needs match practice to catch up with the team", Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter told the club’s official website.

"We will like to wish Dawda all the best for the future," he added.

Dawda Bah, who played in the Gambian League, with Banjul Hawks started his professional career in 2005 with Finnish First Division club KPV. He became a key player for the second tier club and was the leading goal scorer in the division.

He later drew interest from Veikkausliiga [top tier] clubs, but decided to stay with KPV for another season. Belarussian club FC MTZ-RIPO had offered 200.000 Euros for the Gambian, but he turn down a move to the Belarus club.

He had had trials with Norwegian side Odd Grenland, but did not get a contract offer. In January 2007, Bah trialled with Algerian club USM Blida, but the clubs could not agree on the transfer fee.

He started the 2007 season with KPV, but moved to Helsinki on a loan to Veikkausliiga club HJK. He debuted in a UEFA Cup match against FC Etzella of Luxembourg and scored a goal.

Later, the capital city club bought him from KPV and offered him a three-year contract. In 2009, Dave as he is fondly called was one of the most important features in the Finnish title winning side HJK Helsinki, scoring eight times and assisting eight times in 25 league games.

In 2010, Bah continued showing his importance for HJK Helsinki, both in the Finnish league and the Champions league qualifications. Due to his good performances he was given a two-year extension to his contract on 2 September 2010, a deal that will see him stay at the club until 2012 but the Gambian didn’t even see the end of his contract as the promoted Bundesliga club FC Augsburg came calling for him in 2011 and penned him on a three-year contract until the recent termination of that deal.