Since his first appearance in VfB colours in 2012, Thomas Kastanaras has risen through the youth ranks and even appeared for the first team in the Bundesliga. In 2021/22, the Stuttgart-born forward finished top scorer in the U19 Bundesliga South/Southwest division with 26 goals in 20 appearances, while also helping the youngsters lift the DFB Cup.
In the following season, Kastanaras registered five goals in 15 appearances for the U21 side in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Southwest and also made his first-team debut in the Bundesliga. He has scored 16 times in 38 Regionalliga appearances for VfB overall, as well as making four top-flight outings for the club. Kastanaras spent the second half of last season on loan at SSV Ulm, his three goals in 16 third-division appearances helping the club to promotion to Bundesliga 2.
Fabian Wohlgemuth, board member for sport: “Thomas already made his first third-tier appearances for Ulm last season, and this season he’ll have the opportunity to play in this demanding league with our U21s and gain important experience for his future career. We’ll foster his development as best we can by way of close dialogue between the U21s and the first team.”