FC Winterthur must say goodbye to centre‑back Loïc Lüthi: the 22‑year‑old joins FC Luzern on 1 July 2026. Despite the relegation he stays in the Super League, signing a deal until summer 2029. Winterthur currently sit 12th with 19 points, 4 wins, 7 draws and 22 losses from 33 games, recent form LLWDL.

What exactly happened?

Lüthi, who returned in March after a nine‑month bone‑marrow inflammation in his thigh, has been a regular since his comeback. On 1 July 2026 the club announced his signature with Luzern. Transfer details remain confidential, but the contract runs to summer 2029. In their last meeting on 16 May 2026 Winterthur lost 0‑3 to Luzern.

Why does the departure matter for FC Winterthur?

Lüthi’s exit leaves the back line even more porous. Winterthur have scored 35 goals and conceded 86 – a –51 goal difference. Without the young defender the defence will be under even more pressure, especially as the team trails the league leaders FC Thun by 55 points. Coach Michele D'Angelo now has to find a replacement quickly to halt the recent four‑game losing streak.

How does the club respond?

The club stresses the move was made in the player’s best interest. A brief statement said Lüthi is fully fit after his long recovery and Luzern offers a clear path to 2029. Winterthur remains hopeful, promoting academy talent and possibly arranging a loan‑buy.

What does this mean for the future?

Lüthi is expected to debut for Luzern in the summer of 2026. For Winterthur it means the defence must be rebuilt to ease relegation fears. The club plans to hunt for an experienced centre‑back in the summer window while also banking on youth development. The coming weeks will reveal whether Winterthur can fill the gap before the season ends.