Mario Gomez returns to Stuttgart from Wolfsburg
Mario Gomez has returned to hometown club VfB Stuttgart from Wolfsburg, signing a deal until 2020.
Gomez returns to the club where he made his professional debut in 2003. Coming through the youth academy at Stuttgart, he scored 87 goals in 156 competitive games at the club.
He lifted his first silverware as a player when Stuttgart won the Bundesliga in 2006/07. That same year Gomez won his first cap for Germany.
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“I’m thrilled to be home again, where it all began for me,” Gomez said of his move. “In the last few days I’ve felt how much I want this move back to Stuttgart. It’s the club where I grew up and had the craziest time with that unexpected title win in 2007.
“I know how great the expectations are and the situation here is very challenging, but that means giving everything to remain in the Bundelsiga with a good second half of the season, and for me on a personal level, going to the World Cup. I’m looking forward to the club, the city, the people, the surrounding and my family. I can’t wait to get going.”
VfB coach Hannes Wolf added, “I’m thrilled by the signing of Mario Gomez. We’ll do all we can during the winter break to integrate him into the team quickly. We’re convinced he can help us have a good second half of the season and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
Watch: Gomez's 2016/17 in 60 seconds
The 32-year-old Germany international scored 19 goals in 52 competitive appearances for Wolfsburg since joining form Fiorentina in 2016. One of the his most important strikes was the winner in the first leg of the relegation play-off against Eintracht Braunschweig last season to keep Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.