Laurin Ulrich registered three goals and seven assists last season to help VfB’s Under-21 side secure their survival in the 3. Liga. The midfielder had only returned to the club during the winter break after spending the first half of the campaign with SSV Ulm, but still managed to rack up 18 appearances for the U21s. Ulrich has now signed an early extension to his VfB contract, which was due to expire in summer 2026, but he won’t be playing for the club next season. Instead, the 20-year-old will spend the 2025/26 season on loan at 1. FC Magdeburg in the second division.
Having joined VfB back in summer 2016, Ulrich made his Bundesliga debut on 12 November 2022 but illness prevented the youngster from making any further appearances in the top flight. However, the Heidenheim native has played his way back to form with the U21s and will be keen to take the next step in Magdeburg, where he will link up with a familiar face in former VfB youth coach Markus Fiedler.
“Laurin has been with us a long time, reintegrated himself seamlessly after six months in Ulm and played a key role in helping the U21s survive with his character and ability,” said Stephan Hildebrandt, director of VfB’s youth academy. “Those performances have not gone unnoticed by other clubs and we think a loan to the second division is exactly the right step in his development, particularly as he’s linking up with Markus Fiedler, a coach who knows him very well and thinks very highly of him. We hope Laurin returns a stronger player after being given the playing time he needs. We wish him all the best and will follow his development closely.”