There won’t be any uncertainty in VfL Bochum’s goal anytime soon. That’s because the team’s number one has committed to VfL for the long term ahead of schedule.
This season in the second division, Timo Horn has played in all 26 league matches for VfL Bochum. And there will likely be many more to come.
The 32-year-old has extended his contract, which was set to expire on June 30, 2027, by one year to 2028. The longtime Cologne player has been between the posts for VfL since 2024, has been the Blue-Whites’ starting goalkeeper since February 2025 (42 competitive matches so far), and has led the team onto the field as captain in eleven matches this season.
“I’m very excited about this prospect,” says Horn, “as I very quickly took VfL to my heart as a club. It feels absolutely right to continue on the successful path we’ve now embarked upon. I want to do my part to help with that. I’m convinced that we’ll manage to stay in the league and that we can use the spirit that prevails in the team to continue improving in the time ahead. I’m happy to pitch in!”
Simon Zoller, Director of Professional Football, adds: “I’ve known Timo Horn for a very long time, back from our days together in Cologne. He’s an absolute standout in goal—not just in our view, but also in the eyes of experts, who currently rank him as the best goalkeeper in the 2. Bundesliga. We know that with Timo Horn in goal, we’ll be well-prepared for the near future, because he’s not only absolutely reliable but can also use his experience to support the other goalkeepers in our squad in their development.”
The goalkeeper, who has made 214 Bundesliga appearances and only failed to get a proper chance during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, has also found a fan in Bochum in coach Uwe Rösler. “He has already helped us earn points very often this season through his performances. Having him as our goalkeeper puts everyone at ease: the team, the fans, the club, and of course me as the coach. It’s a strong sign from him to commit at this early stage and thus signal that he believes in our shared path to success. He’s a key player, a leader, and therefore a cornerstone for our team in the coming season and beyond. Timo always leads the way, whether in the locker room, on the field, or off the field. Our young players can look to him for guidance, which helps us as a coaching staff immensely.”