VfL Bochum has signed Agon Elezi from the Croatian first division. The defensive midfielder has signed a contract until 2027.
Actually, something should be done in the offensive at VfL Bochum – but first a player for defensive midfield is coming. Agon Elezi from NK Varazdin in the Croatian first division is expected to strengthen VfL in the future. The 22-year-old was recently also linked to a move to Austria Klagenfurt, fifth in the Austrian Bundesliga, but he signed until 2027 “anne Castroper”.
“A market opportunity arose for Agon Elezi at short notice that we absolutely wanted to take advantage of,” said sporting director Marc Lettau, explaining the transfer. ‘He has great potential and we believe he can make the leap to the Bundesliga in the future.’ Now the plan is to introduce him ‘step by step’ to the ‘challenge’ of the Bundesliga, as Patrick Fabian, managing director of sport, added. The parties agreed not to disclose the transfer fee.
Active in Croatia since 2020
His path to France led through the North Macedonian clubs FC Shkupi and Vellazerimi 77 Kicevo to the youth of SM Caen. Just one year later, Elezi transferred to KF Skenderbeu before spending another season there before moving to the then Croatian first division club NK Varazdin in the summer of 2020.
After being relegated in his first year, Elezi missed a large part of the following season in the second division. Nevertheless, the club managed to get straight back into the top flight and even won the championship. The defensive midfielder was then set to stay, but had to miss the last month of the first half of the current season. Now, with six months left on his contract, it is time to say goodbye.
Elezi played a total of 68 games for Varazdin in three and a half years, scoring eight goals. On Tuesday, the center forward said goodbye to the fans via Instagram, declaring: “I will always carry a piece of this club with me, no matter where my path takes me.” For now, that path is leading him to the Bundesliga – to FC Schalke 04, to be precise.