Mats Pannewig was loaned from VfL Bochum to SC Wiedenbrück in the winter. The talent got off to a strong start there.
At the end of February 2023, Mats Pannewig signed a professional contract with VfL Bochum. However, the now 19-year-old still had to wait almost a year for his first competitive match at senior level. And he didn’t play in a VfL shirt, but for SC Wiedenbrück from the Regionalliga West.
The local club loaned him out to the East Westphalians in the winter until the end of the season. Pannewig, who was out of action for months last year with knee problems, was supposed to gain match practice there, explained sporting director Marc Lettau.
And this plan has been a complete success so far. Pannewig established himself at the fourth division club straight away and is an important factor in Wiedenbrück’s current run of success. The tall central midfielder has made seven appearances so far. He has scored four goals and provided two assists. In the 5:3 win at 1. FC Düren at the beginning of March, he put in a truly gala performance with four goals.
“We didn’t expect him to arrive with us so quickly. We knew that he was coming back from injury and hadn’t played any senior games yet,” revealed Wiedenbrück coach Daniel Brinkmann. But: “I was quite sure that it would work for him in the long term.”
SC Wiedenbrück: Interview with coach Brinkmann
SCW had been observing the 1.95-meter talent in the Bochum U19s long before the loan deal. “He simply stood out in youth games,” emphasized Brinkmann, who had high praise for Pannewig. The most important thing for him: “Mats is a pure character, a clean guy who loves soccer.”
And on the pitch, Pannewig shines above all with his “very good orientation”, says Brinkmann. The budding soccer coach raves: “He always knows where he is and plays very intelligently. His range of action is huge. He has a lot of offensive drive, but he also plugs holes in the defense. He is one of the best players in the regional league in his position.”
The Wiedenbrückers therefore have little hope that Pannewig will remain at the club beyond the summer. The loan runs until the end of the season. At Castroper Straße, the Hammer native is under contract until 2025. The youngster will presumably first complete his preparations with VfL before any further steps are decided. Should Bochum loan Pannewig out again next season, his contract would have to be extended first
Mats belongs in a different league
Daniel Brinkmann
For Wiedenbrück coach Brinkmann, one thing is clear: “Mats belongs in a different league – as much as we would like to keep him. My wish for him is that he takes the right step. Maybe he’ll get the chance to play in Bochum. He definitely has the potential.”
VfL are also aware of this. Captain Anthony Losilla described Pannewig as a “huge talent” in the special forecast for the second half of the season and said: “I hope he stays fit because he has everything he needs to become a very important player for VfL Bochum. “