Zagadou extended: Stuttgart secures top defender for the Bundesliga
The 27-year-old central defender remains loyal to VfB Stuttgart – a surprising coup for the Swabians and a warning signal for the competition ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 27-year-old central defender remains loyal to VfB Stuttgart – a surprising coup for the Swabians and a warning signal for the competition ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Dan-Axel Zagadou remains loyal to VfB Stuttgart. The 27-year-old central defender has surprisingly extended his expiring contract - despite months of rumors about a possible departure. The contract extension comes at a critical time: Just a few weeks before the start of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, Stuttgart has secured an experienced key player in Zagadou.
The Frenchman with German citizenship had recently been linked to offers from abroad, but the Swabians apparently convinced him with a long-term concept. The decision comes at a time in which many top clubs are making improvements in the defensive area - a trend that was further reinforced by the close signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich in the spring. Zagadou, who has been playing for Stuttgart since 2020, has established himself as a reliable defensive player in recent years.
Last season he played 28 Bundesliga games and was largely responsible for the stability of the defense. His presence in the team is now considered indispensable for the coming season, especially given the personnel changes in the defense. The departure of Konstantinos Mavropanos in the summer of 2025 leaves a gap that Zagadou is expected to fill with his experience and leadership.
At the same time, VfB will have to decide in the coming months how to fill the vacant central defender position next to him - a topic that will dominate transfer planning. The contract extension sends a signal to German football: Stuttgart shows that it can keep key players even against financially strong competition. This is no coincidence, but the result of a targeted personnel policy that has increasingly borne fruit in recent years.
VfB has positioned itself as an attractive employer in the 2024 and 2025 transfer windows, which is now paying off. The Swabians benefit from a clear sporting vision that relies on both young talent and experienced managers. Zagadou's stay underlines this strategy - and could show other clubs how to score points in the transfer market with smart decisions.
As expected, the reactions from those around us are positive. Sports director Sven Mislintat emphasized the importance of Zagadou for the team: *"Dan-Axel is an absolute professional and a leader in our defense. "* Coach Sebastian Hoeneß also expressed his satisfaction: *"An important building block for our planning.
"* The contract extension could also strengthen the morale of the team, which has struggled with injuries and fluctuations in form in the last few months. What's next: The contract extension gives Stuttgart planning security for the transfer phase and preparation for the Bundesliga season. The competition now has to react - teams with defensive construction sites in particular could target Zagadou.
The Swabians are using the momentum to position themselves as a serious force for the new season. At the same time, the search for a successor to Mavropanos will dominate transfer planning. Should Stuttgart find an adequate replacement, the Swabians' defense could be one of the most stable in the league. Read at kicker Bundesliga
Dan-Axel Zagadou's contract extension is more than a personnel coup - it is a strategic advantage for Stuttgart. With the 27-year-old, VfB has secured an experienced central defender who offers stability and leadership in defense. This not only strengthens the team, but also sends a signal to the competition: Stuttgart is ready to make smart decisions. For the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, this could make the difference between midfield and European Cup places. At the same time, the decision underlines the Swabians' growing importance as a serious force in German football - a trend that has already become apparent in recent transfer windows. Zagadou's stay also shows how clubs can retain key players in the long term through clear sporting guidelines and attractive framework conditions - a model that could find imitators.
kicker Bundesligakicker.de2 Jul, 10:18de-de
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