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After three years with Bayern Munich, and one on loan at Hamburger SV, Julian Green is set to leave the Bavarian giants in January with the hopes of becoming a first-team regular at Stuttgart. A promising preseason for Bayern, including a hat trick against Inter Milan in Charlotte, has yielded only two DFB-Pokal appearances for the USMNT forward, although he did notch his first goal for the club against FC Augsburg in October.
Green has frequented the substitutes’ bench for Bayern in the Bundesliga, but he’s been unable to gain playing time behind the likes of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski.
With Bayern playing well and manager Carlo Ancelotti unlikely to shake things up in the second half of the season, Green has confirmed that he’ll be joining Stuttgart at the opening of the January transfer window.
New challenge! After great years at @FCBayern, I'm really looking forward to the new club, the teammates and the city @VfB #jg37 pic.twitter.com/64FjgB53CU
— Julian Green (@J_Green37) December 21, 2016
Stuttgart are currently in the German Second Division — they were relegated following a disastrous season last year. However, the club are five-time Bundesliga champions and look poised for promotion. They currently sit third, two points behind leaders Eintracht Braunschweig.
“I joined Bayern’s U-15s and like everyone dreamed of being a pro, and I’ve made it,” said Green. “I’ve gained a lot of experience over the last three years. It was good, I’m glad about it and thankful. I took my time and tried everything. It’s over for me now I’ve decided for Stuttgart. I’ll set myself new goals with Stuttgart, and I’m looking forward to this challenge, especially to supporting VfB in the second half of the season to achieve promotion.”
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised the 21-year-old for his efforts at the club: “It was tricky at FC Bayern due to a lot of competition. I wish Julian all the best for the future. He always was a hard-working, reliable and very likable player for FC Bayern.”
Green has scored three goals in eight appearances for the USMNT, none more memorable than his superbly taken goal against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup.
(H/T: Sports Illustrated)
