Dženan Pejčinović: Who is VfB Stuttgart new goal-getter?
After making his mark on the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, Dženan Pejčinović will look to continue his upward trajectory after joining VfB Stuttgart. Possessing poacher-like finishing and strong heading, find out more about the Swabian club’s latest arrival…
Dženan Pejčinović
Age: 21 (Born 15 February 2005)
Club: VfB Stuttgart
Position: Striker
Country: Germany (48 youth caps, 41 goals)
Key stats
Born in Munich to Montenegrin parents, Pejčinović’s playing career started with Bayern Munich’s youth academy but his time with Germany’s record champions was short-lived. Joining neighbouring Augsburg in 2017, he rose to prominence after returning 12 goals in 16 appearances for Die Fuggerstädter’s U17 team in 2021/22. His goalscoring exploits didn’t stop there, either - the 6’3” talisman struck 17 times in as many games for Germany’s U17 side.
New surroundings beckoned, and a move to Wolfsburg followed in 2022. “He has good technique, can read the game well, can score goals and is also a proper team player,” expressed then sporting director Marcel Schäfer.
Despite getting off to a slow start, having scored five goals in 17 youth games in his first year with the Wolves, Pejčinović caught the eye of Niko Kovač, who awarded the German striker his Bundesliga debut, aged 18, against Hertha Berlin on Matchday 34 of 2022/23.
Bouncing between Wolfsburg’s U19 squad and the first team the following year, Pejčinović laced his goalscoring boots and plundered 31 goals in 21 games for VfL’s youth teams, and nine in as many caps for Germany’s U19 team - while earning another four top flight appearances - before joining then Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Düsseldorf for 2024/25.
Netting the equaliser on his debut as Fortuna secured a late 2-1 victory over Ulm, Pejčinović suffered a knee injury in September 2024, ruling him out of five games. Fully recovered, he netted five times in 17 games but his season was cut short due to a foot injury sustained while on international duty with Germany’s U20 squad, sidelining him for the remaining eight fixtures.
Upon returning to his parent club for 2025/26, Pejčinović established himself as a leading talent in a struggling Wolfsburg side. Marking his return to the Wolves’ starting line-up in December 2025, he seized his opportunity with a spectacular maiden hat-trick in Germany’s top flight - against Freiburg, opening his account for the season.
Ending the campaign with 12 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, his goal against Paderborn in the promotion/relegation play-off was unable to prevent Wolfsburg’s relegation to Bundesliga 2, but Pejčinović will remain in Germany’s top flight after signing a five-year contract with VfB Stuttgart.
Plays a bit like: Edin Džeko
Made in the Bundesliga, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Džeko scored 85 goals and created a further 35 assists in 142 Bundesliga appearances during a prolific spell for Wolfsburg between 2007 and 2011. With his senior career very much in its infancy, Pejčinović possesses similar characteristics to his compatriot.
Boasting impressive movement in and around the penalty box, a ferocious left foot and an excellent heading ability, Pejčinović has proven a nuisance for Bundesliga defenders with his poacher-like instinct.
Did you know?
Born in 2005, Pejčinović is one of many German talents born that same year, alongside Tom Bischof, Paul Wanner, Arijon Ibrahimović and Noel Aseko, all of whom came through at Bayern.
What they’re saying
“Dzenan is a lad who never gives up, who always works hard, is always self-critical, and even asked me after the first week if we could do some extra training sessions on the pitch.” - Former Wolfsburg head coach Paul Simonis.
“We are convinced of his football abilities. Dženan has everything it takes to be a valuable option immediately in attack and as a young player, he still has a lot of potential for development. ” - Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth.
