Wolfsburg’s squad for the coming 2018/2019 season continues to take shape. Striker Daniel Ginczek has arrived from Stuttgart, signing a contract until 2022. At the same time, Daniel Didavi is heading in the opposite direction, leaving the Green-Whites to return to the Swabians, where he came through the youth ranks and played in the Bundesliga between 2012 and 2016. Didavi scored 13 goals in 48 league appearances during his two years at Wolfsburg.
“A complete striker”
“Daniel Ginczek was one of our targets and we’re pleased that he’s chosen VfL Wolfsburg,” said VfL sporting director Jörg Schmadtke. “He can be a real enhancement for our team with his quality and his positive mentality.” Head coach Bruno Labbadia added: “Daniel is a complete striker, I’m really convinced by him. His style of play makes him the ideal addition to our other new striker, Wout Weghorst.”
“Talks soon convinced me”
Ginczek is looking forward to a new challenge after four years at Stuttgart, during which he made 53 top-flight and 19 second-tier appearances, registering 26 goals and 11 assists. “Of course it wasn’t easy to leave Stuttgart. I had a great time here and made lots of friends.
“However, the talks with the Wolfsburg representatives soon convinced me and I want to play my part in getting VfL back to where they belong,” he commented. The 27-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund as a youngster and was promoted to the first team, although he never made his debut. After loan spells at Bochum and St. Pauli, he signed for Nürnberg in 2013 before switching to Stuttgart the following year.
The Westphalian, who represented Germany from Under-17 through to Under-21 level, has made a total of 65 Bundesliga appearances (20 goals) and 79 Bundesliga 2 appearances (27 goals).
Didavi allowed to leave
While Ginczek’s future lies at VfL, Daniel Didavi is packing his bags and returning to Stuttgart. “He asked us if he could leave the club this summer,” revealed Schmadtke. “Although you want players of his quality in the squad, we decided not to stand in his way.”
The player said: “I’d like to thank those in charge at VfL for allowing me to return to Stuttgart. It’s been an intense two years that I don’t regret, despite the difficult situation on the pitch. But I came to the decision that I definitely wanted to take the chance to move back to my hometown club.”
