VfB have extended Nikolas Nartey’s contract by a further year, keeping the 25-year-old at the Cannstatt club until 30 June 2026. After a long injury lay-off, the midfielder battled back with hard work and perseverance in the 2024/25 season – he made his Bundesliga comeback on Matchday 34 in the 3-2 win at RB Leipzig, before also featuring in the DFB Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld (4-2) a week later.
Fabian Wohlgemuth, VfB board member for sport, said: “Niko is an asset to our squad on and off the field. He has the ability to play in multiple positions and his attitude is exemplary. After his long injury lay-off, Niko impressively battled back with great determination and energy, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to keep Niko at VfB.”
Nartey, who inked his new contract at the VfB club centre on Thursday, added: “It was a fantastic feeling to be back on the pitch with the guys at the end of the season and to win the DFB Cup. Now I’m happy that our journey together is going to continue and I’ll get to carry on wearing the VfB shirt in the future. I want to do my bit to continue on this successful path and achieve our goals together.”
Bounced back from injuries
Nartey moved to VfB in summer 2019 from 1. FC Köln and spent his first two seasons out on loan – at Hansa Rostock in the 3. Liga in the 2019/20 campaign and then at SV Sandhausen in Bundesliga 2 in 2020/21. Since the 2021/22 season, he’s consistently demonstrated his abilities when he’s pulled on the white and red shirt in 31 competitive appearances.
He’s also been hampered by injuries throughout his time at VfB but has always overcome these setbacks. That made his introduction in the recent DFB Cup final all the more emotional as he came on in the closing stages and was then able to celebrate the win with his team-mates and fans. Nartey will be hoping to experience more special moments with the Cannstatt club in the forthcoming season.