VfL Bochum is once again fielding a second team. The first squad places have now been allocated.

VfL Bochum will once again have a second team at the start of the coming season. However, this U21 team will not have to start at the bottom of the league system, but will be allowed to compete in the Oberliga Westfalen. The Oberliga Westfalen will therefore simply be increased to 19 teams in the coming season – as stipulated by the association’s statutes.

And at VfL, planning for the squad is in full swing. The club website states: “We are particularly proud to be launching an U21 with a lot of VfL DNA,” emphasizes Max Kögel, who was in charge of squad planning as the sporting director of the transitional area. “The majority of the team will be made up of boys from our own U19s, some of whom have been playing for us at the Talentwerk since the U9s.”

The following players will be promoted from the U19s to the Oberliga Westfalen.

Hugo Rölleke, who made two appearances in the professional squad last season due to injuries to the goalkeepers, will be in goal. In addition, full-back Luca Bernsdorf, defensive all-rounder Jan Nzeba-Bost, central defender Niko Božičković, defensive midfielders Jean-Philippe Njike Nana and Luca Erdelkamp as well as winger Divine Boafo and attacking midfielder Cedric Zajkowski from the U19s will be in the new U21 squad.

Heiko Butscher, who will return to Bochum’s youth academy, emphasized weeks ago: “We want to try to create alternatives in every position. This is a process over several years.”

In addition, up to three experienced players will be brought in to lead the boys. A maximum of three players over the age of 23 may be used in the second teams. These players should also come from the local area if possible. In the coming days, VfL will introduce further players who could be signed for the new U21 squad