Chadrac Akolo has arrived at VfB. Away from the pitch, the new man jokes about primarily with his French-speaking team-mates, such as training camp room-mate Orel Mangala, but even when head-coach Hannes Wolf makes a smart comment in passing, the Congolese always has a grin to share. On the pitch, Akolo provided an assist for Daniel Ginzek in his first test friendly against SG Dynamo Dresden and in the clash with 1. FC Heidenheim, the new man celebrated his first goal in the shirt with the infamous red hoop. "Things have gone so quickly in the past couple of weeks," noted Chadrac Akolo. On July, 9th, Akolo signed his new deal with VfB and the following day, he joined his new team mates at the first pre-season training camp in Grassau.
After a week on the VfB club grounds, the Cannstatt Boys then packed their bags for the second pre-season training camp in Stubaital. "I have received a very positive welcome and I feel quite at home," commented the attacker, who was not knocked out of his stride by an intermittent calf problem. "I feel much better now and want to give my all," said the 22-year-old. The young attacker participated in the intensive circuit training session on Sunday and was back on the ball again on Monday. "On the one hand, I want to help the team with my performances, but on the other hand, my team mates are also giving me great support," remarked Chadrac Akolo.
From the lower Swiss classes to the Bundesliga
The idea of signing a professional contract one day was once a mere pipe dream for Akolo. During his childhood, he played football on the streets of Kinshasas, where his friends gave him the nickname Zidane, as he was so convincing on the ball even then. But having fled from Congo to Switzerland with his family, the idea of playing football professionally seemed more of a reality. Initially Akolo played with lower-class side FC Bex, whilst searching for a job. His displays captured the attention of professional Swiss side FC Sion, where he played as a youngster and, following a loan spell at Xamax Neuchâtel, then made his breakthrough in the Super League team.
Now his journey has taken him from Sion to Stuttgart. "It’s unbelievable – like some kind of dream," commented Akolo, continuing: "I enjoyed some good talks with coach Hannes Wolf and quickly acknowledged that we understand one another on a personal level," explained the Congolese. By the time the season begins, Chadrac Akolos and his team mates will be hoping to have found their form. The Wasenelf continue working in Stubaital for another week and then, after a week and a half on the club grounds in Stuttgart, the competitive action finally begins.