Kevin Stöger has made the move from VfB Stuttgart to recently relegated SC Paderborn 07, the 2. Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday. According to German sports magazine kicker, the transfer fee is around one million euros. He will wear the number 18 shirt.
A new chance to shine
The 22-year-old passed his medical and signed a three-year deal at the Benteler-Arena. Stöger, a versatile attacking midfielder, spent the last two years on loan at 1. FC Kaiserslautern. His first year was largely unsuccessful, playing just six games, though he kicked on from that and made a big impression last term. A return of two goals and three assists didn't represent his full contribution to the side, who narrowly missed out on promotion.
After growing up in Austria with ATSV Steyr (1998-2007) and at SV Ried (2007-2009), Stuttgart were the side to pick up the talented teen. Unfortunately, he never had a chance to break into the Swabians' starting eleven and made it onto the pitch for just 24 minutes while there. He was a regular in their 3. Liga squad, however, and featured 51 times, scoring four goals and assisting a further five.
Gellhaus and Born over the moon
Paderborn head coach, Markus Gellhaus, gave a glowing review of his new signing "Kevin is an absolute dream player from me," he began. Gellhaus citied his "decisive impetus" in the middle of the pitch, as well as his "goal threat" and his ability to "play the final pass".
Sporting director at the Westfalen club, Michael Born, also had his say: "Kevin increases the quality of players in our squad, despite his young age, he brings a lot of experience and is an asset to our midfield." Stöger will hope to hit the ground running with his new club and help them to kick-start their season, after what has been a rather ordinary start to life back in the 2. Bundesliga.