Fürth snap up Stuttgart's Massimo on a free

After a disappointing two years that saw him make just five brief appearances for the VfB Stuttgart first-team, 23-year-old former German youth international Roberto Massimo will receive a fresh start in Middle Franconia. Massimo was among a trio of Stuttgart youths that failed to meet the expectations of successive coaching regimes. 

After spending the 2022/23 season on loan at Académico de Viseu in the Portuguese second division, Massimo barely even featured for the VfB reserve side that earned promotion to the 3. Liga this year. He made VfB trainer Sebastian Hoeneß' match-day selection 12 times this year, but remained unused on the bench seven times. 

It had already been confirmed that Massimo would be permitted to depart this summer on his expiring contract. He now joins second division side SpVgg Greuther Fürth on a free. Massimo does bring along with him the experience of 42 Bundesliga appearances and two top flight goals. Terms of his new contract were not divulged. 

“Roberto is an exciting player who has already gained a lot of experience despite his young age,” SpVgg sporting director Rachid Azzouzi noted in a club statement, "We are really looking forward to Roberto, who is very motivated and will also fit in very well with our philosophy on a personal level."

"The talks with those responsible at the Kleeblatt immediately gave me a good feeling," the player himself added, "I'm joining a young team here and I'm already motivated to get training camp underway. I'm convinced that I'll really enjoy the way football is played here."