Ibišević agrees transfer to Stuttgart

Ibišević arrived at the club from Alemannia Aachen in the summer of 2007 and scored five goals in his first season, helping 1899 to achieve promotion to the Bundesliga. It was in the following season, however, that he really established himself at the top level of German football. He scored 18 goals in the first half of the 2008/09 season, as Hoffenheim finished the calendar year in first place in the league, before a cruciate knee ligament injury ended his season. This season he was the club's joint-leading scorer with five goals in the league. He has also netted four times in 25 games for the Bosnia-Herzegovina national team.

Hoffenheim General Manager Ernst Tanner said of the transfer: “Vedad Ibišević has been a great servant to the club and has left an enduring legacy in our relatively young history. It hurts to see him go, but his was his wish to move to VfB Stuttgart. We don't want to place any obstacles in his way.”

Head Coach Holger Stanislawski added: “Vedad Ibišević has been a fantastic role model and given his all in the six months that I've been here. His qualities are undoubted, but I can understand if players like him wish to make a fresh start after four and a half years somewhere.”

The player himself was also sad to be leaving 1899 Hoffenheim, but excited for the coming challenge at Stuttgart. “I've had a very enjoyable time here at Hoffenheim, and the club has always supported me in everything. I'd like to thank Holger Stanislawski and the previous manager Ralf Rangnick, and wish all my old teammates every success. I also would like to express my appreciation for the support that the club executives have shown me, including Dietmar Hopp, for allowing this transfer to go ahead. I'm looking forward to the new challenge at Stuttgart immensely.”

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim thank Vedad Ibišević for his services to the club and wish him ever<y success in the next chapter of career at VfB Stuttgart.