Kevin Stöger’s back at anne Castroper

VfL Bochum 1848 has signed Kevin Stöger. The 28-year-old Austrian returns to his old stomping ground, having already played here from 2016 to 2018. After a spell at Fortuna Düsseldorf, the midfielder was last active for league rivals 1.FSV Mainz 05 from October 2020. Kevin Stöger has signed a contract with VfL Bochum 1848 that runs until June 30, 2024.

Stöger has been playing in Germany since 2009, making his debut for VfB Stuttgart in the U17 Junior Bundesliga and winning the South/Southwest Bundesliga title with the Swabian U19s in the same season. Things progressed gradually at senior level: he joined VfL in 2016 via the 3. division (VfB Stuttgart II) and second-division stints at 1.FC Kaiserslautern and SC Paderborn 07. In the 2017/18 season, Stöger was the team’s second-best scorer with 14 involvement (four goals, ten assists). He then moved to Bundesliga promoted Fortuna Düsseldorf, then up the Rhine to Mainz. Stöger played 84 Bundesliga games for Düsseldorf and Mainz, in which he was involved in 18 goals (five goals, 13 assists).

“Kevin Stöger knows the Bundesliga and knows VfL, which are two important prerequisites,” said Sebastian Schindzielorz, Director of Sport at VfL Bochum 1848, who was pleased about the Austrian’s comeback. “We have been dealing with him for a long period of time and have tried to bring him back to VfL before. Now we have succeeded after his contract in Mainz expired and he was able to transfer free of charge. Kevin’s strengths, especially in technical terms, are probably still present to most people in Bochum. With us, he has the chance to take off again and use his skills profitably.”

“I’m delighted to be returning to Castroper Straße,” says Kevin Stöger, looking ahead to the coming period. “VfL has been trying to get me for a long time, the contact has always been maintained. I’m really keen on the new season and, of course, want to have an awesome and successful time with the team and the fans. The goal is clearly to stay in the league again, and I will give everything for that.”

Player data KEVIN STÖGER

Date/Place of birth: 27.08.1993 in Steyr/AUT

Height: 1,75 m

Weight: 74 kg

Nationality: Austria

BL games/goals: 84/5

2.BL games/goals: 98/9

Internationals/Goals: 17/4 (U21), 9/0 (U19), 1/1 (U18), 10/0 (U17)

Previous clubs: 1. FSV Mainz 05 (10/2020 – 2022), Fortuna Düsseldorf (2018-20), VfL Bochum 1848 (2016-18), SC Paderborn 07 (2015/16), 1. FC Kaiserslautern (2013-15), VfB Stuttgart (2009-13), AKA SV Ried/AUT (2007-09), ATSV Steyr/AUT (1996-2007)