20-year-old left winger Francisco Rodriguez from VfL Wolfsburg has joined Arminia Bielefeld on loan for the next one-and-a-half years. The youngster joined the Wolves in June last year from FC Zurich but still needs some more time to get used to the higher level. F. Rodriguez is the younger brother of world class defender Ricardo Rodriguez, who plays for Wolfsburg as well and has been linked with several top clubs recently.
F. Rodriguez made his official Bundesliga debut on December 19th, 2015 when the Wolves lost 1-3 against VfB Stuttgart. The midfielder got subbed on for Weltmeister Andre Schürrle in the 82th minute but couldn't prevent the loss. Besides that the 20-year-old U21 Swiss International played 11 games with Wolfsburgs U23-team in which he scored a total of four goals and managed to assist to more.
Samir Arabi, sporting director at Arminia Bielefeld, is happy that the loan is finally official and said that F. Rodriguez is a "highly talented player" who has already worked with "word class players on the highest level possible."
Head coach Hecking believes in his qualities
Head coach Dieter Hecking believes in his youngster and says that Wolfsburg will keep an close eye on his progress in Bielefeld. Hecking also said that F. Rodriguez has the "potential to enforce in the Bundesliga" and the loan to the second division is a chance for him to "gain more playing time and experience" so he'll be prepared for the next big steps in his on-going career. Rodriguez has signed a contract with the Wolves until 2018.
The 20-year-old left winger seems happy too and visited the city beforehand and even attended a game. He mentioned that the talks with Samir Arabi and Bielefeld head coach Norbert Meier have made him feel "very welcome" and when Wolfsburg first started to suggest a loan, Bielefeld was his desired club.
