VfL Wolfsburg have made their fourth summer signing ahead of the upcoming 2019/20 season with the arrival of Xaver Schlager from Salzburg. The 21-year-old plays primarily in central midfield and has agreed a contract valid until 2023.
"We're delighted to further strengthen our squad with Xaver," said VfL sporting director Marcel Schäfer. "He's a young, ambitious player looking to take the next step in his career. Despite his young age he already has experience at international level and, in addition to his footballing qualities, he's perfectly suited to VfL Wolfsburg."
"I'm really looking forward to playing for VfL Wolfsburg and the challenge of playing in the German Bundesliga," said Schlager. "I had a wonderful and successful time at Salzburg and I'll forever be grateful to the club for that, but the time has come for a change. Wolfsburg offers a professional but family environment and I'm convinced it's the best place for me to continue my development."
Schlager made his debut in the Austrian Bundesliga at the age of 18 in May 2016, and went on to score seven goals in 67 top-flight outings for Salzburg. He has also appeared 28 times in the UEFA Europa League and in UEFA Champions League qualifying. In his four years as a professional in Austria, Schlager won four league titles and three domestic cups.
He made his senior international bow for Austria in 2018 and has so far earned 11 caps, scoring once. Until last Sunday, Schlager was involved in the U-21 European Championship in Italy and San Marino.
He is VfL's fourth new recruit, following the arrivals of Kevin Mbabu (Young Boys), Joao Victor (LASK) and Paolo Otavio (FC Ingolstadt).
