Colombian striker Juan José Perea departs VfB Stuttgart permanently | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart have sold Colombian striker Juan José Perea to FC Zürich. Perea – along with fellow VfB attacker “Silas” Katompa Mvumpa – was one of two attackers in the VfB squad the Bundesliga club were prepared to give their outright release if no potential taker could be found. It’s not yet known how much Stuttgart have recouped for the €2m-valued Perea.

Stuttgart paid GAS Giannina €2.4m to acquire Perea in July of 2022. The now 25-year-old made 16 top flight appearances for Stuttgart during the 2022/23 campaign. His lone Bundesliga goal came off the bench during a matchday 23 1-2 loss against Bayern Munich.

Perea spent the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign on loan in the 2. Bundesliga with Hansa Rostock and all of last year on loan with Zürich. The Swiss Super League side were thought to have a purchase option for Perea, yet declined to exercise it.

Perea scored seven goals and registered two assists for FCZ last year, meaning that he likely generated some revenue for his Bundesliga club. Thus far this summer, Stuttgart have only pocketed €4m apiece from the respective sales of Woo-Yeong Jeong to Union Berlin and Jacob Bruun Larsen to Burnley.

Silas may yet generate a decent inlay for the Swabians, who are currently still fighting to complete a €20m outlay for Greek attacker Giannis Konstantelias.

“Juan put in some impressive performances for FC Zurich in the Super League last season and demonstrated his qualities until his [latest ACL] injury [suffered in March],” Stuttgart sporting director Christian Gentner noted in a club statement. “The permanent move to Zurich is now the next logical step, and we wish Juan all the best and every success for the future.”

GGFN | Peter Weis