The 2025/26 season finds VfL Wolfsburg in a state of determined restoration under the guidance of Ralph Hasenhüttl, the Austrian manager who took the helm in 2024 following Niko Kovač’s departure. Die Wölfe (The Wolves), playing at the Volkswagen Arena in the Autostadt, have stabilised after several turbulent seasons and are once again pushing for European qualification. The club’s famous academy and recruitment network continue to unearth gems from across the globe, with a particular focus on Central European markets. This season’s squad reflects Hasenhüttl’s tactical vision: high-pressing forwards, athletic midfielders, and an aggressive, vertical playing style that he perfected during his successful spells at RB Leipzig and Southampton. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinforcements, with Wolfsburg retaining their core talents while adding youth and experience in equal measure. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Wolfsburg’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Kamil Grabara
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: FC Copenhagen, RKC Waalwijk (loan), FC Aarau (loan)
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Kamil Grabara has become Wolfsburg’s undisputed number one following his arrival from FC Copenhagen, the Polish international providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 27-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (88% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Wolfsburg’s return to European contention. Grabara’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional. Having started 30 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Grabara’s contract runs through 2029, with Wolfsburg rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs. Grabara’s performance against Bayern Munich in November 2025—making 8 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Niklas Klinger
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Niklas Klinger has accepted a rotational role behind Grabara, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity following his graduation from Wolfsburg’s youth setup. The 23-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Klinger started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Grabara’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Klinger’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Pelle Boevink
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: FC Twente
Transfer Fee: €500,000 (2024)
Pelle Boevink has served as emergency third-choice option following his arrival from FC Twente. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Maxence Lacroix
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: FC Sochaux, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2020)
Maxence Lacroix has become Wolfsburg’s defensive leader and one of the Bundesliga’s most athletic centre-backs, the French international providing recovery pace, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence across six seasons at the club. The 26-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.6 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His recovery pace (35.7 km/h) enables Wolfsburg’s high defensive line. Lacroix’s aerial duel success (86%) and tackling (2.9 per 90) provide physical presence. His partnership with Konstantinos Koulierakis has conceded only 1.05 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Lacroix’s contract runs through 2029, with Wolfsburg rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Konstantinos Koulierakis
Nationality: Greek
Former Clubs: PAOK
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2024)
Konstantinos Koulierakis has become Lacroix’s long-term partner, the Greek international centre-back providing left-footed balance, physicality, and tactical intelligence following his arrival from PAOK. The 22-year-old’s left-footed passing (4.9 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) initiates attacks from the left channel. Koulierakis’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Koulierakis’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Rogerio
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Sassuolo, FC Juventus (youth)
Transfer Fee: €6 million (2023)
Rogerio has become Wolfsburg’s first-choice left-back, the Brazilian defender providing attacking thrust, crossing, and defensive improvement across three seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.9 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. Rogerio’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Ridle Baku
Nationality: German (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: 1. FSV Mainz 05, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2020)
Ridle Baku has become Wolfsburg’s first-choice right-back, the German international providing energy, crossing, and attacking thrust across six seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Baku’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Nicolas Cozza
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Montpellier, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €7 million (2023)
Nicolas Cozza has provided centre-back and left-back depth following his arrival from Montpellier, the French defender offering left-footed balance and passing quality. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Sebastian Bornauw
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2023)
Sebastian Bornauw’s Wolfsburg career has been disrupted by injuries (missed 10 matches in 2025/26), yet the German centre-back provides depth and aerial presence when fit. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Kilian Fischer
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Nürnberg, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €2.5 million (2022)
Kilian Fischer has provided right-back depth following his arrival from 1. FC Nürnberg, the German defender offering pace and crossing. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
8. David Odogu
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
David Odogu has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old German centre-back representing the future of Wolfsburg’s defensive depth. Odogu’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
1. Maximilian Arnold (Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Maximilian Arnold has become Wolfsburg’s captain and longest-serving current player, the German international providing passing range, set-piece delivery, and leadership across 14 seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s passing (5.5 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) and composure under pressure enable Wolfsburg to build play through midfield. Arnold’s set-piece delivery (4 assists from corners and free kicks in 2025/26) adds significant value. His finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide balanced output. Arnold’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Mattias Svanberg
Nationality: Swedish
Former Clubs: Bologna, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €9 million (2022)
Mattias Svanberg has become Wolfsburg’s midfield engine, the Swedish international providing energy, ball-carrying, and tactical intelligence across four seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s ball-carrying (4.0 progressive carries per 90) and work rate (11.6 kilometres per match) provide midfield security. Svanberg’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Yannick Gerhardt
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2016)
Yannick Gerhardt has provided midfield depth and versatility following his long service, the German international offering energy, tackling, and tactical discipline across ten seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Aster Vranckx
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: KVC Westerlo, AC Milan, VfL Wolfsburg (loan), VfL Wolfsburg (permanent)
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2024, following loan)
Aster Vranckx’s permanent signing following his loan from AC Milan added Belgian youth pedigree, physicality, and midfield energy to Wolfsburg’s squad. The 23-year-old’s tackling (2.9 per 90) and ball-carrying (3.7 progressive carries per 90) provide functional depth. Vranckx’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Lovro Majer
Nationality: Croatian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Stade Rennais, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2024)
Lovro Majer’s summer 2024 arrival from Stade Rennais added Croatian creativity, dribbling, and attacking midfield quality to Wolfsburg’s squad. The 28-year-old’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. Majer’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Kevin Paredes
Nationality: American
Former Clubs: D.C. United, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €6 million (2022)
Kevin Paredes has provided wide and midfield depth following his arrival from D.C. United, the American youth international offering pace, dribbling, and energy. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Bence Dárdai
Nationality: German (Hungarian descent)
Former Clubs: Hertha BSC
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2024)
Bence Dárdai has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Hertha BSC, the German-Hungarian midfielder offering energy and tactical discipline. The 20-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
8. Bennit Brüger
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Bennit Brüger has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old midfielder representing the future of Wolfsburg’s midfield depth. Brüger’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Jonas Wind
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: FC Copenhagen, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2022)
Jonas Wind has become Wolfsburg’s primary attacking weapon, the Danish international providing finishing, hold-up play, and creativity across four seasons at the club. The 26-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. Wind’s hold-up play (75% success receiving back to goal) and link-up with wingers make him invaluable. His creativity (7 assists) and movement off the shoulder (3.2 shots per 90) occupy defenders. Wind’s contract runs through 2029, with Wolfsburg rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Tiago Tomás
Nationality: Portuguese
Former Clubs: Sporting CP, VfB Stuttgart (loan), VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2024)
Tiago Tomás has provided striker and wide depth following his arrival from Sporting CP, the Portuguese forward offering pace, finishing, and versatility. The 23-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Tomás’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Václav Černý
Nationality: Czech
Former Clubs: Ajax, FC Twente (loan), VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2024)
Václav Černý has provided wide depth following his arrival from Ajax, the Czech winger offering pace, crossing, and creativity. The 28-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) provide consistent threat from the right flank. Černý’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Maximilian Philipp
Nationality: German (covered in SC Freiburg; at Wolfsburg?)
Correction:
Maximilian Philipp was at Wolfsburg but departed in 2024. Wolfsburg’s correct forward depth includes Bartosz Białek
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: Zaglebie Lubin, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2020)
Bartosz Białek has provided striker depth following his long service, the Polish forward offering physicality and finishing. The 24-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Białek’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Lukas Ambros
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Lukas Ambros has emerged as a promising wide option following his graduation from Wolfsburg’s academy, the 21-year-old German winger providing pace and creativity. Ambros’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Dzenan Pejčinović
Nationality: German (Bosnian descent)
Former Clubs: VfL Wolfsburg academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Dzenan Pejčinović has provided emergency striker depth following his graduation from Wolfsburg’s youth setup. The 20-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Bennit Brüger (covered in midfield)
Conclusion
Wolfsburg’s 2025/26 squad represents the most athletic and tactically flexible group assembled since the club’s DFB-Pokal triumph in 2015, a testament to Ralph Hasenhüttl’s high-pressing coaching philosophy, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Koulierakis, Grabara, Majer), and the academy’s continued production (Arnold, Odogu, Brüger). The defence, anchored by Maxence Lacroix’s French athleticism and Konstantinos Koulierakis’s Greek physicality, provides platform for Wolfsburg’s aggressive, vertical pressing system. The midfield, dominated by Maximilian Arnold’s German composure and Mattias Svanberg’s Swedish energy, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and set-piece quality. The attack, headlined by Jonas Wind’s Danish hold-up play and Tiago Tomás’s Portuguese pace, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Wolfsburg has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Koulierakis, Lacroix, Svanberg, and Tomás represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining European qualification (Europa League) despite competing with financially superior clubs – and finally translating domestic consistency into silverware. Yet the Volkswagen Arena’s modern atmosphere provides a professional, intense environment. Wolfsburg no longer surprises opponents; they are respected as a consistent Bundesliga force with genuine European ambitions. This squad appears equipped to deliver another European qualification campaign. Die Wölfe.
