“Pleased to be working here now”

Angelo Stiller dictated the pace in the midfield for VfB last season, playing almost every minute. Following his move from Hoffenheim in late August 2023, the 23-year-old featured in 31 Bundesliga games – only missing out against Leverkusen due to suspension – and started three cup games. He’s therefore one of the constants in the VfB squad.

That made it all the more noticeable that he was absent at the start of the Japan Tour. As agreed with the club, he kept a private appointment and travelled at a later date. On Monday morning, he joined his team-mates in Osaka. “I’m pleased to be here now and to be working with my team-mates from now on,” said the midfielder. The work then began in the afternoon following the journey from Osaka to Hiroshima with his first session. “I was already tired before training but now it’s okay – the session was good,” said Stiller.

Aside from the sporting focus, the 23-year-old also wants to make the most of the new experiences. “It’s important to soak up other cultures and be curious,” added Stiller. As well as the training sessions, cultural excursions in the historic city of Hiroshima also await the VfB squad over the coming days.