Official: Germany defender Holger Badstuber completes Stuttgart return after Bayern Munich release

New Delhi, Aug 5: Germany defender Holger Badstuber has penned down a one-year contract to confirm his move to his former club VfB Stuttgart on Friday (August 4) after the ex-Bayern Munich star was released at the end of his contract.

Badstuber left Stuttgart in 2002 to join Bayern and experienced a delightful career on the Bavarian side, however, since 2012 a series of injuries in recent seasons shortened his contribution in the field.

Badstuber tore his cruciate knee ligament in December 2012 and was sidelined for five months which saw him miss the whole 2013/14 season and cost him the best time of playing career.

He constrained his way once more into the Bayern team under pep Guardiola for the 2014/15 season, however, he again wrecked his thigh and then again April 2015 during a Champions League match ruptured his ACL. This injury made him unavailable till 2016.

The defender soon tumbled down in the pecking order in the Bayern side and to gain the match fitness Bayern provided him with an opportunity to go out on loan at FC Schalke.

However, regardless of playing 10 league matches the defender was not brought back as both the clubs ignored to sign him up. The 28-year-old eventually got an opportunity from his old club to have a playing career and he duly agreed on the move.

The defender now expressed his delight at returning to the side insisting he felt passionate about the future ahead. He also suggested he wants to remain injury free to enable his new club re-to build up themselves in Germany's top flight team after winning the second division last season.

"No one should forget their roots, and I never have," said Badstuber. "VfB was and is a special club to me and immediately struck an emotional chord with me once again. The region, the fans, the spirit of optimism... I can hardly wait to get stuck in here!"

Stuttgart's director of marketing and sales, Jochen Rottgermann also applauded the move and added: "In Holger Badstuber, we have secured the services of a player with exceptional quality. We are delighted that he will be wearing the VfB jersey in the future."

Badstuber made 178 appearances across all competitions during his time at Bayern, five Bundesliga titles, winning the Champions League, and four German Cups as well as 31 Germany caps in the meantime.

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