VfL Bochum has two more games on its schedule in 2025. The winter break is approaching. And with it, the January transfer window.

Five wins, one draw, and one loss: since Uwe Rösler became coach of VfL Bochum, things have been going smoothly for the second-division club.

VfL has climbed from the bottom of the table to 9th place, and some are already eyeing the promotion spots. But there is still a long way to go. Perhaps VfL will make another push for promotion next season—starting from matchday one.

Then Kevin Wiethaup could also be a Bochum player. As this editorial team has learned, VfL has set its sights on the 20-year-old attacking midfielder from VfL Osnabrück.

Wiethaup, who can play all positions in the midfield and also operate as a left winger, has made only eight appearances in the current season, totaling 372 minutes of playing time—without scoring a goal or providing an assist. And yet: the former German U18 national team player is said to have great potential. That’s apparently what Bochum’s database also indicated. That’s how the VfL scouts ended up on the player from the Bremer Brücke.

It remains to be seen whether Bochum will make a serious move for Wiethaup in the winter or wait until the summer. By then, however, the 1.79-meter-tall player will be available on a free transfer. Other second-division clubs, such as Eintracht Braunschweig, are also said to have expressed interest in him.

In any case, a few spots could open up in Bochum’s midfield for the new season. Kjätell Wätjen is on loan from Borussia Dortmund, Francis Onyeka from Bayer Leverkusen—and captain Matus Bero’s contract expires on June 30, 2026.

Before any changes to the squad might occur in January 2026, VfL Bochum first heads to Hannover 96 on Saturday (December 13, 8:30 p.m.).

Uwe Rösler said ahead of the match: “This is a team with a very interesting coaching philosophy. Christian Titz did a good job in Magdeburg and is now making his mark on Hannover as well. But I still say this is a 50-50 game. We can play a very strong role in Hannover. We have to be bold and can’t make too many mistakes. Otherwise, Hannover will punish us with their strikers. But the way we play, we’ll get our chances too. A full stadium, a good game, a lot at stake: I’m looking forward to this match, where we can really prove ourselves again.”