Stuttgart re-sign star striker Mario Gomez from Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg with immediate effect
The 32-year-old German international has penned a contract until 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena
MARIO GOMEZ has re-signed for Stuttgart after leaving Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg.
The 32-year-old joins Hannes Wolf's side with immediate effect, as he moves to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in a deal up until 2020.
Gomez returns to Stuttgart eight years after leaving to sign for Bayern Munich, and the German international failed to hide his joy when speaking of his move.
He told the "I am very happy to be back home where everything began. Particularly over the past few days and in the heated phase, I have felt the desire to return home to Stuttgart ever more.
"I want to go back to the club where I experienced probably the craziest part of my career, with the unexpected German championship win in 2007.
"It’s also the club that made me the player I am today. At the international game against Norway in September, I said how special it was to play in this stadium.
"I know the expectations are massive and that the situation is very demanding."
Gomez also spoke of his desire to be included in Joachim Low's World Cup squad, he added: "Now it’s all about survival in the top-flight, having a good second half to the season and additionally for me, it’s also about achieving my goal of playing at the World Cup.
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"I am looking forward to the club, the city, the people, the surroundings and my family. I can hardly wait to get going."
Gomez made his debut for Stuttgart when he was just 18 after featuring against Chelsea in the Champions League during the 2003/04 season.
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And he helped his side claim a historic Bundesliga title in the 2006/07 campaign where he banged in 14 goals in 25 top-flight games, earning him the German Footballer of the Year award.
The 71-capped international joins a club sitting in 14th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
He will be hoping to start against Hertha on January 13 when the winter break finishes.