Frosinone Calcio have completed a double Austrian swoop in the transfer market. Romano Schmid joins the Serie A newcomers from Werder Bremen, while Florian Grillitsch has also signed for the Italian club following his departure from SC Braga. Both players underwent their medical examinations in Rome before being officially unveiled as new signings.
Schmid deal could rise to €10.5 million
Frosinone are investing a considerable sum in Schmid, although the fee is still below the valuations being discussed for the Austrian only a few months ago. Italian media initially reported a transfer fee of €8 million, while more recent information suggests Werder will receive a guaranteed €8.5 million. With bonuses, the total package could rise to as much as €10.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed a contract until the summer of 2030.
Schmid leaves Bremen after almost five years with the first team. The Graz-born midfielder originally joined Werder from Red Bull Salzburg for around €1 million in January 2019 before immediately spending a year and a half on loan at Wolfsberger AC. He subsequently established himself in Bremen and went on to make 192 competitive appearances, scoring 18 goals.
Last season, Schmid started all 34 Bundesliga matches, scoring four goals and providing eight assists. He also made an impact at the World Cup, netting in Austria’s 3-1 victory over Jordan — the country’s first World Cup goal in 28 years. However, he was unable to maintain that strong early form in the matches that followed.
Leaving Bremen was nevertheless an emotional decision. “Bremen is home for us,” Schmid said in his farewell interview. At the same time, the move fulfils a personal ambition: “But we always wanted to live in Italy at some point, so that is why we made this decision.”
Grillitsch arrives on a free transfer
Frosinone, meanwhile, do not have to pay a transfer fee for Schmid’s Austria teammate Florian Grillitsch. The 31-year-old terminated his SC Braga contract, which had originally been due to run until 2027, back in June and had been a free agent since then. Grillitsch is expected to sign a deal until the summer of 2027, with an option for a further season.
Grillitsch brings even more international experience than his new teammate. After coming through the academy at SKN St. Pölten, he joined Werder Bremen’s youth system in 2013 and later broke into the Bundesliga. The most significant spell of his career came at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he made 196 competitive appearances across two separate stints.
In between, the Lower Austrian played for Ajax Amsterdam. A loan spell at Real Valladolid followed in 2025, ending with a heavy relegation from LaLiga. Grillitsch then moved to SC Braga. He was not an undisputed starter in Portugal, but still recorded a solid 36 appearances, three goals and two assists during his only season at the club.
Two very different profiles for Frosinone
On paper, the two Austrians should complement each other extremely well in Massimiliano Alvini’s squad. Schmid offers dynamism, creativity and strong counter-pressing qualities. He can play as a number eight, behind the strikers or — as he often does for Austria — from the right wing.
Grillitsch, by contrast, is a classic holding midfielder who likes to have the game in front of him and should bring greater structure to Frosinone’s build-up. His biggest strength is his distribution, while he can also operate in a back three if required, giving the newly promoted side additional tactical flexibility. Given that Frosinone currently have seven centre-backs in their squad — four of them new arrivals — that option is likely to be reserved for emergencies.
Frosinone have therefore significantly improved both the quality and, in particular, the depth of their midfield ahead of their return to Serie A. Schmid begins a completely new chapter after his years in Bremen, while Grillitsch will now add Italy to previous spells in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, making Serie A the fifth major European league of his career.
Last season’s Serie B runners-up have now signed eleven players this summer as they prepare for their primary objective of avoiding relegation. Their recruitment drive does not appear to be over yet. Sturm Graz talent Filip Rózga and Red Bull Salzburg left-back Aleksa Terzić — with whom Frosinone are reportedly already in agreement — are also said to be on the club’s shortlist.
