VfB would like to thank two loan players for their efforts during their time in Stuttgart. Striker El Bilal and attacking midfielder Fabian Rieder are leaving the Cannstatt side to return to their parent clubs, Atalanta and Stade Rennes.
El Bilal: Special goal in Turin
El Bilal joined VfB on loan from Italian top-flight side Atalanta in summer 2024. He made his debut for the club on 31 August, entering the fray as a 74th-minute substitute in the 3-3 draw at home to 1. FSV Mainz 05. He went on to make 11 more appearances in the Bundesliga, registering two goals and one assist.
The Mali international gave fans a moment of unadulterated joy on 22 October, when he scored a 92nd-minute winner at Juventus to earn VfB their first UEFA Champions League victory in 14 years. He played four games in Europe’s premier club competition last term, as well as one appearance in the DFB Cup. In March, the 23-year-old made his comeback from the fractured metatarsal he suffered in November last year.
Fabian Wohlgemuth, board member for sport at VfB: “El Bilal was a key option for our attack last season. We’ll certainly all remember his goal in the Champions League against Juventus with great fondness. We’re parting ways now, and we’d like to thank El Bilal for our time together and wish him all the best for his future career.”
Fabian Rieder: Hat-trick of assists at home to Young Boys
Rieder also joined VfB in summer 2024, on loan from French top-flight club Rennes. After making his debut in the 3-1 defeat at SC Freiburg on Matchday 1, he opened his account for the club with a free-kick at home to Mainz, putting VfB 3-2 up. He made 21 appearances for VfB in the Bundesliga, scoring once and registering four assists.
The Champions League home game against Young Boys will live long in the memory after he set up three goals against his hometown club, thus playing an integral part in VfB’s first home victory in the competition since 2009. The 23-year-old appeared in all eight Champions League games last term, finding the net again in the 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava. Rieder also featured four times in the DFB Cup.
Wohlgemuth: “Fabian settled quickly with us last summer and showed his qualities in 33 competitive games. We thank him for those appearances in the VfB shirt in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Cup, and wish Fabian all the best and every success for the next stage of his career.”
Merci and many thanks, ‘El Bi’ and Fabian!