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Andi Weimann gives his first interview on surprise decision to sign for Cheltenham

Andi Weimann gives his first interview on making the surprise decision to sign for League Two side Cheltenham Town.

The 35 year old, who spent time at Derby County and Rapid Wien during the 2025/26 season, has dropped down to the fourth tier of English football.

He signs on a free transfer, having been out of contract, leaving the Rams in May, learning that he wouldn’t be offered a new deal.

The club said in a statement on their website: “Cheltenham Town are delighted to announce the signing of experienced forward, Andreas Weimann.

“Weimann arrives at the EV Charger Points Stadium with a wealth of experience across the Premier League, Championship and the Austrian Bundesliga.

“The Austrian began his professional career with Aston Villa, playing over 100 times in the Premier League before going on to feature for the likes of Watford, Derby County, Wolves, Bristol City, West Brom, Blackburn Rovers and Rapid Wien. He has scored over 100 goals throughout his career and appeared for the Austrian national team on 26 occasions.”

Manager Steve Cotterill said: “Andreas brings proven quality to the squad. He has played at a consistently high level throughout his career as well as for his country.

“He has some excellent qualities and we believe he will compliment our attacking options well. I look forward to having him as part of the group for the season ahead.”

Weimann added: “I am delighted to get it done, I can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve had some really good conversations with the manager, I’m excited by what’s to come and I want to help as much as I can.”

Interviewer: So firstly, Andi, welcome to Cheltenham Town. How does it feel to be here?

Andi: Yeah, good. I’m I’m delighted to to get it done and yeah, can’t wait to get going to be fair.

Interviewer: What sort of conversations do you have with the manager that convinced you to to join the project here?

Andi: Yeah, I’ve had really good conversation the last few days. It came a little bit out of nowhere to be fair. I’ve been waiting all summer for for a phone call and then I got a couple, yeah, it was it was a good conversation. He wants me obviously to come in and yeah, show my experience, help help the squad hopefully and yeah, just be a good good professional really.

Interviewer: And you joined the club at a pretty exciting time. Obviously, it’s the manager’s first full season back in charge of the club. Obviously, we’ve recently had a new owner take over and money’s gone into the stadium, a training ground, the club as a whole. How important is it for you to join a club that you feel is on that upward curve and heading in the right direction?

Andi: Yeah, that’s definitely something I wanted to do. I think I’ve still got a lot of football left in me and yeah, I’m excited by obviously hopefully what’s to come and I want to yeah push right up the top of the table and I want to help as much as I can and see where we end up.

Interviewer: And I know you’ve only just got here, but what are your sort of first impressions of the place?

Andi: Yeah, good. I’ve just literally met the lads about 10 minutes ago, so obviously I knew I knew a couple before that I was at Bristol City with, so yeah, it’s been nice. Nice to meet the manager, all the coaching staff, obviously all the other staff around the training ground. Yeah, pitch look nice, obviously I haven’t seen the stadium yet, but hopefully I can see that tomorrow.

Interviewer: And obviously you’ve spent the majority of your career in the Premier League and the Championship. Also represent your country 25-26 times. Just how will you use that experience to help you here as well as potentially helping the younger lads in the squad as well?

Andi: Yeah, hopefully a lot. I mean, like I said, I think I was still pretty fit. I still think I’ve got a lot to give on the pitch, but also off the pitch. I think I’ve seen a lot of things in football. I’ve been around for well nearly 20 years now, so yeah, I think I just come in hopefully be someone to lean on if someone needs some help, but also just yeah be a really I think that’s one of the things the manager said just come in and be the the professional you are and hopefully everyone will follow.

Interviewer: And obviously you spent some time last year back at home. How was that for you?

Andi: It was good. Yeah, it was a Rapid Vienna. It was the the team I supported as a kid. So it was nice to to actually play for them. It’s a bit tough cuz I’ve got three kids and my wife. They stayed here. So, I was by myself for for 5 months, but yeah, it’s something I’m really happy I did. I can say I played for the team I always supported.

Interviewer: And obviously, you mentioned it sort of previously there. Is there anyone in the dressing room that you know? Is there that you spoke to ahead of this move?

Andi: I didn’t speak to anyone to be fair apart from the manager before I came in. It all kind of happened in the last couple days. So, it was quite quick. But I know Robbie Cundy I played with at Bristol City and George Nurse. They they both were at Bristol City. So yeah, I know know them too.

Interviewer: And obviously you’re you’re a seasoned professional. You change dressing rooms many times, but it must be nice to just have those few familiar faces in there when you join a new club.

Andi: Yeah, it’s always nice to know at least one or two cuz it’s almost I think probably everyone says it’s like first day of school. Doesn’t matter how old you are, how young you are, it’s always a bit strange or a bit, yeah, you’re a bit nervous walking in saying hello to everyone, but yeah, everyone seems really nice so far.

Interviewer: And I’m sure most Robins fans will have seen you play, but for those few that may not have, how would you describe yourself as a player and what do you think you can bring to the team?

Andi: I think I always give 100%. I think that’s something I’ve always Well, every manager’s I think really liked about me. I’m really hardworking. I think the fans will see that. I give everything for the team I play for. I think I scored goals throughout my career. So hopefully I can do that here. I think, yeah, just someone who like doesn’t matter where I play, what position I play, I’ll yeah give everything and hopefully can can show that.

Here’s how fans reacted after Andi Weimann gives his first interview on the surprise decision to sign for Cheltenham…

@Horvat_Szn: Ridiculous signing wow fair play

@RobertC_Robins1: That is an absolute joke signing for L2. Would be good in L1 and probably still chip in the championship. Best of luck Andi 🙌

@HHDolphinWatch: Wow! That’s a ridiculous signing for League 2. The shirt suits him 😍

@KGibson_93: We’ve gone from panic signing Lee Angol to signing Andreas Weimann..

@craig0829: No excuses now, top 7

@joe_sav8: Quality signing for the level

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