The 2025/26 season finds VfB Stuttgart in a state of ambitious consolidation under the guidance of Sebastian Hoeneß, the German manager who has transformed the Schwaben from relegation battlers into Bundesliga title contenders. The club’s miraculous runner-up finish in 2023/24 is no longer viewed as a fluke; Stuttgart has established themselves as Germany’s fourth force, consistently challenging Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and Leipzig for Champions League qualification. The MHPArena (formerly the Mercedes-Benz Arena), with its passionate Cannstatter Kurve, has become one of the Bundesliga’s most intimidating venues, where Stuttgart’s high-pressing, vertical football overwhelms opponents. This season’s squad reflects Hoeneß’s tactical vision: athletic defenders, dynamic midfielders, and a ferocious attack led by one of Europe’s most prolific striking duos. The summer transfer window saw strategic reinforcements rather than an overhaul, with the club retaining its core talents while adding depth in key areas. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Stuttgart’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Alexander Nübel
Nationality: German
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2025, permanent following loan)
Alexander Nübel finally found a permanent home at Stuttgart after years of loan itinerancy, the German goalkeeper providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have silenced pre-season sceptics. The 29-year-old’s shot-stopping (77% save percentage in 2024/25, 76% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Stuttgart’s Champions League qualification campaigns. Nübel’s distribution (89% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters and short passes to centre-backs, suits Hoeneß’s high-tempo transition system. Having started 31 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 13 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable. Nübel’s contract runs through 2029, with Stuttgart rejecting January 2026 approaches. Nübel’s performance against Bayern Munich in November 2025—making 10 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Fabian Bredlow
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Nürnberg, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Fabian Bredlow has accepted a rotational role behind Nübel, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and dressing room experience. The 31-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (87% pass completion) provide functional cover. Bredlow started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Nübel’s rest), keeping 4 clean sheets. Bredlow’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Dennis Seimen
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfB Stuttgart academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Dennis Seimen has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Stuttgart’s youth setup. The 20-year-old is considered one of Germany’s most promising young goalkeepers. Seimen’s contract runs through 2029.
Defenders
1. Waldemar Anton
Nationality: German (covered in Dortmund; departed Stuttgart 2024)
2. Hiroki Ito
Nationality: Japanese (covered in Bayern Munich; departed Stuttgart 2024)
3. Dan-Axel Zagadou
Nationality: French (Ivorian descent)
Former Clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Dan-Axel Zagadou has become Stuttgart’s defensive leader, the French centre-back providing physicality, aerial dominance, and left-footed balance across four transformative seasons at the club. Now 26, Zagadou’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (86%) leads Stuttgart’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Zagadou’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.4 per 90) demonstrate aggressive defending. His partnership with Oumar Solet has conceded only 1.02 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Zagadou’s contract runs through 2029, with Stuttgart rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
4. Oumar Solet
Nationality: French
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2024)
Oumar Solet has become Zagadou’s long-term partner, the French centre-back providing recovery pace, physicality, and tactical intelligence following his arrival from RB Salzburg. The 26-year-old’s recovery pace (35.3 km/h) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Solet’s passing (88% completion) remains secure. Solet’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Josha Vagnoman
Nationality: German
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2022)
Josha Vagnoman has become Stuttgart’s first-choice right-back, the German defender providing pace, crossing, and defensive improvement across four seasons at the club. The 25-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.9 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. Vagnoman’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Maximilian Mittelstädt
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Hertha BSC
Transfer Fee: €3.5 million (2023)
Maximilian Mittelstädt has become Stuttgart’s first-choice left-back, the German international providing energy, crossing, and defensive diligence following his arrival from Hertha BSC. The 29-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Mittelstädt’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Leonidas Stergiou
Nationality: Swiss (Greek descent)
Former Clubs: FC St. Gallen, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2024)
Leonidas Stergiou has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from FC St. Gallen, the Swiss international offering physicality and aerial presence. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
8. Ramon Hendriks
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Feyenoord, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2025)
Ramon Hendriks’s summer 2025 arrival from Feyenoord added Dutch left-back depth and physicality to Stuttgart’s squad. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
9. Jovan Milošević
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfB Stuttgart academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Jovan Milošević has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old centre-back representing the future of Stuttgart’s defensive depth.
Midfielders
1. Atakan Karazor (Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfB Stuttgart academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Atakan Karazor has become Stuttgart’s captain and midfield anchor, the German international providing tactical discipline, tackling, and leadership across six seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s tackling (3.2 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Stuttgart’s midfield. His work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.5 pressures per 90) set Hoeneß’s standards. Karazor’s passing (88% completion) remains secure; his role involves disruption and protecting the backline. Karazor’s leadership, formalised as club captain, manages Stuttgart’s dressing room through vocal authority and professional standards. Karazor’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Angelo Stiller
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich, 1899 Hoffenheim
Transfer Fee: €5.5 million (2023)
3. Enzo Millot
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: AS Monaco, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €2.5 million (2021)
Enzo Millot has become Stuttgart’s creative heartbeat, the French attacking midfielder providing dribbling, finishing, and creativity across five seasons at the club. The 23-year-old’s dribbling (3.9 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) provide elite production. Millot’s creativity (10 assists) and link-up play make him Stuttgart’s primary attacking catalyst. Millot’s contract runs through 2029, with Stuttgart rejecting January 2026 approaches from Paris Saint-Germain.
4. Chris Führich
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund II, SC Paderborn, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €2.5 million (2022)
Chris Führich has become Stuttgart’s primary wide creator, the German international providing dribbling, crossing, and finishing from the left flank across four seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. Führich’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Jamie Leweling
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Union Berlin
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2024)
Jamie Leweling has provided wide depth following his arrival from Union Berlin, the German winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity. The 25-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Leweling’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Fabian Rieder
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2025)
Fabian Rieder’s summer 2025 arrival from Stade Rennais added Swiss creativity, set-piece delivery, and attacking midfield depth to Stuttgart’s squad. The 24-year-old’s passing (4.9 progressive passes per 90) and finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Rieder’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Luca Raimund
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: VfB Stuttgart academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Luca Raimund has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old midfielder representing the future of Stuttgart’s midfield depth.
Forwards
1. Serhou Guirassy
Nationality: Guinean (French-born)
Former Clubs: Amiens, 1. FC Köln, Stade Rennais
Transfer Fee: €9 million (2023)
Serhou Guirassy has become one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, the Guinean international providing finishing, physicality, and hold-up play that have made him Stuttgart’s most valuable asset. The 29-year-old’s finishing (23 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (31%) provide elite scoring threat. His movement off the shoulder (3.6 shots per 90, 0.61 xG per shot) terrorises defences. Guirassy’s hold-up play (77% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (85%) occupy defenders, creating space for Millot and Führich. Guirassy’s contract runs through 2029, with Stuttgart rejecting January 2026 approaches from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
2. Deniz Undav
Nationality: German (Turkish descent)
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2025, permanent following loan)
Deniz Undav’s permanent signing in summer 2025, following a spectacular loan spell, was one of Stuttgart’s most important pieces of business. The 29-year-old’s finishing (16 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (9 assists) provide elite production as Guirassy’s partner or understudy. Undav’s movement and link-up play make him invaluable in Hoeneß’s fluid attacking system. Undav’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Silas Wamangituka (now known as Silas Katompa Mvumpa)
Nationality: Congolese
Former Clubs: Paris FC
Transfer Fee: €8 million (2019)
Silas has provided wide depth following his long service, the Congolese winger offering pace, dribbling, and versatility across the frontline. The 27-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Silas’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Nick Woltemade
Nationality: German
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: €2 million (2024)
Nick Woltemade has provided striker depth following his arrival from Werder Bremen, the German youth international offering physicality and finishing potential. The 23-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Woltemade’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Justin Diehl
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Justin Diehl has provided wide depth following his arrival from 1. FC Köln, the German winger offering pace and dribbling. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Thomas Kastanaras
Nationality: German (Greek descent)
Former Clubs: VfB Stuttgart academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Thomas Kastanaras has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 22-year-old forward representing the future of Stuttgart’s attack.
Conclusion
VfB Stuttgart’s 2025/26 squad represents the most talented and tactically coherent group assembled since the club’s 2007 Bundesliga title, a testament to Sebastian Hoeneß’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Nübel, Solet, Undav), and the academy’s continued production (Karazor, Seimen, Milošević). The defence, anchored by Dan-Axel Zagadou’s French physicality and Oumar Solet’s French recovery pace, provides platform for Stuttgart’s high-pressing, vertical system. The midfield, dominated by Atakan Karazor’s leadership and Enzo Millot’s French creativity, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Serhou Guirassy’s Guinean finishing and Deniz Undav’s German movement, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Stuttgart has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Guirassy, Millot, Stiller, and Zagadou represent enormous resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Champions League qualification despite competing with financially superior clubs and navigating the inevitable departure of star players to richer suitors. Yet the MHPArena’s passionate Cannstatter Kurve atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Stuttgart no longer hopes merely to compete for Europe; they expect to challenge for the Champions League places annually. This squad appears equipped to deliver another top-four finish and perhaps more.
