Sky and Sport Bild: Diehl signs four-year deal with Stuttgart
Sky Germany and "Sport Bild" both report that 1. FC Köln talent Justin Diehl has passed a Stuttgart medical and signed a four-year-deal with the Swabian side.
VfB Stuttgart's pursuit of 19-year-old Köln attacking prospect Justin Diehl has reportedly led to an officially fixed transfer. Sky Germany reports that Diehl has passed a Stuttgart medical and signed a contract to play in Württemberg through 2029. Long considered to be in the focus of larger clubs after lighting it up for the Köln reserves earlier this season, Diehl has also been given the chance to establish himself with the Kölner first team during the second half of the current campaign.
Diehl has made six appearances for Timo Schultz's Geißböcke since the turn of the calendar year. He's featured in Schulz's starting XI in the last two league fixtures, not yet managing to get his name on the scoresheet. It was always clear that the forward's hometown academy club would have difficulty signing him to a contract extension. The teenager - free to negotiate with other sides since January 1st - obviously wished to make the leap to a club with better prospects.
Diehl shall join Stuttgart on a free this summer and (barring something unforeseen) have the opportunity to play Champions' League football with Sebastian Hoeneß' Cannstatter next season. Current Stuttgart personnel executive Alexander Wehrle knows the youngster from his time working in the cathedral city. Germany's main sporting tabloid, "Sport Bild", confirms the Sky report and notes that Diehl should be in line for an official introduction shortly.