Discussions between VfB and Leicester City became somewhat laboured, but over the past few days, things have gone very quickly for Ron-Robert Zieler. Following the obligatory medical examination and signing of his new contract in Stuttgart, on Tuesday evening the new man arrived at the VfB team headquarters in Grassau. On Wednesday morning, the goalkeeper trained with his new team mates for the first time, before making his debut in the VfB shirt later in the evening in a friendly test against SG Dynamo Dresden. "It was certainly a start which will long remain in the memory," remarked the 28-year-old with a grin. Dresden’s Philip Heise made it 1-1, lobbing the VfB keeper with a shot from just inside his own half of the pitch. "I’d not conceded a goal like that in my career up to that point," added the Cologne born shot-stopper.
However, Ron-Robert Zieler won’t spend much time contemplating that particular game. The goalkeeper has made the move to Cannstatt with a clear goal, which he hopes to achieve by making use of his wealth of national and international experience. "I want to play my part in the continued further development of this team," stated Zieler. With Hannover 96, the keeper gathered a great deal of Bundesliga experience over several years and even qualified for the Europa League with the club from Lower Saxony.
Most recently, Ron-Robert Zieler was under contract at Leicester City, for whom he made appearances in the English Premier League, the FA Cup and in the Champions League – although not nearly as regularly as he had hoped to. "I had the desire to play more regular football again," explained Ron-Robert Zieler, continuing: "I had some very positive talks with Jan Schindelmeiser and Hannes Wolf. There will be a fair battle for the first choice place as goalkeeper." Zieler turned down offers from other English clubs, in order to make a return to the Bundesliga, where he has already made 185 appearances. So far as his new club is concerned, the keeper’s impressions are still quite fresh. "It’s a new chapter for me. I think we have a team with the potential to develop," concluded Ron-Robert Zieler.
