VfB Stuttgart continues to prepare for the upcoming Champions League season – and the impending departure of key players. Frans Krätzig’s loan is now also confirmed.
On loan again: Frans Krätzig moves from record champion to runner-up in the Bundesliga. picture alliance / SvenSimon
VfB Stuttgart’s eighth summer signing comes from FC Bayern: 21-year-old left-back Frans Krätzig is joining from FC Bayern for a fee of around 600,000 euros, initially on loan for one year. After that, the runners-up reportedly have a purchase option in the mid-seven-figure range, which the Munich team may be able to counter with a buy-back option – at least that’s what they were aiming for. When the transfer became official on Friday, neither club gave any details about the purchase or buy-back option.
Krätzig moved from 1. FC Nuremberg to FCB in 2017 and made his first seven competitive appearances for the pros at the start of last season before being loaned to Austria Vienna for six months. The German U-20 international is under contract in Munich until 2027.
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“Frans has a very interesting profile. We are convinced that he has the footballing skills and the mentality to make the leap to becoming a Bundesliga player,” says VfB sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth. “At FC Bayern and most recently at Austria Vienna, he has also already gained valuable professional experience. We are looking forward to seeing Frans playing in the jersey with the red chest ring in the future.” Krätzig himself wants to learn at VfB “under good conditions from my teammates and also from his own playing time. That’s why I’m here and that’s what I’m up for.”
With the loan, VfB is not only preparing for the upcoming triple burden and – at least – eight Champions League games, but also for a potential departure of European Championship driver Maximilian Mittelstädt. Krätzig, who was a regular in Vienna (14 games, one goal), is already the eighth new Stuttgart signing after goalkeeper Stefan Drljaca (Dynamo Dresden), defenders Ramon Hendriks (Feyenoord Rotterdam) and Julian Chabot (1. FC Köln), midfielders Yannik Keitel (SC Freiburg) and Fabian Rieder (Stade Rennes, loan) and attackers Nick Woltemade (Werder Bremen) and Justin Diehl (1. FC Köln).
Krätzig has already played one Champions League game
What Krätzig has over many of his new teammates is that he has already played in the Champions League – albeit only for a few minutes. Last November, he came on as a late substitute when Bayern, who had already won their group, played a 0-0 draw against FC Copenhagen.
“A lot has happened to Frans in the past year, from his debut in the Bundesliga to his first professional contract with FC Bayern and the second half of the season at Austria Vienna,” emphasises FCB sports director Christoph Freund. “He has quickly integrated into Austria Vienna thanks to his sporting qualities and his character. VfB Stuttgart now offers him the best opportunities to take the next step and further establish himself in professional football.”
2024-06-28 08:05:32
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