SV Ried is betting on the future: Jonas Mayer extended until 2028!

SV Ried is betting on the future: Jonas Mayer extended until 2028!

SV Guntamatic Ried today announced the early contract extension of their up-and-coming midfielder Jonas Mayer. The 20-year-old's new contract is valid until 2028 and represents a clear commitment to the club's youth work. The contract was originally set to run until the summer of 2026, but those responsible see Mayer as a central element for SV Ried's future success plans. Wolfgang Fiala, Sports Director, emphasizes the importance of promoting young talent, which forms the basis for the club's sporting development.

Mayer moved from FC Pinzgau Saalfelden's youth team to SV Ried in 2018 and went through the academy there before making his debut in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga in 2022. Since then he has played 39 competitive games for the team, including a memorable game against Wiener Austria in which he made his first appearance in the top league.

The challenges of the coming season

In the current 2024/25 season, Hausräuber Mayer has already received the League Portal Player of the Round award three times, which underlines his constant improvement in performance. Despite his positive development, Mayer had to sit out the last two games due to illness. However, he is optimistic and sees the coming games as a challenge in which he and the team can fully develop their potential.

SV Ried is currently five points behind league leaders FC Admira, which creates additional pressure. Nevertheless, Mayer remains confident: “I believe in the strengths of our team,” he said in an exclusive interview. His personal goals are clearly defined. He is aiming for promotion to the ÖFB U21 national team as well as promotion to the Bundesliga with SV Ried.

The roots of funding

Jonas Mayer's past and the path to his current status are closely linked to the extensive youth work of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). The ÖFB attaches great importance to supporting talented children and young people, regardless of their background. Around 125,000 children play in the thousands of youth teams, with the focus on fun and enjoyment of the game. A central element of this development are local clubs, state training centers (LAZ) and academies (AKA), which offer talents like Mayer a platform to develop their talent.

The motto for children's football is to get as many children as possible excited to play football. Projects like “Project12” offer individual support for talent through special trainers and sports science support. This broad-based support is crucial for the future success of Austrian football. SV Ried undoubtedly benefits from this approach and is proud to have a player in Jonas Mayer who has the potential to become a pillar in the team and a role model for the next generation.

Ried's decision to plan long-term with Mayer shows the trust in his abilities and the club's commitment to its own youth work - a model that could serve as a model for many other clubs.

For further information on Jonas Mayer's development and the ÖFB's role in youth work, you can read the articles from Laola1, League portal and Austrian Soccer Board read up.