Official | Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Stefan Lainer returns to RB Salzburg | OneFootball

Borussia Mönchengladbach fullback Stefan Lainer has officially left the Bundesliga. The Austrian international’s reported on transfer back to his former club RB Salzburg was confirmed yesterday. Lainer moves to the German Red Bulls on a free transfer after Gladbach agreed to terminate his current contract prematurely.

Lainer’s contract ran for another year, but his playing prospects for next season diminished greatly due to the fact that the foals have acquired Kevin Diks from FC Copenhagen and Jens Castrop from FC Nürnberg ahead of next season. Lainer, as confirmed by BMG sporting director Roland Virkus, thus lodged a transfer request.

“He approached us with a desire for a change due to his reduced playing time,” Virkus noted in a club statement. “We are delighted that we have been able to find a solution that is satisfactory for all parties.”

Lainer returns to his old academy side thanks to a deal swung by Salzburg’s current sporting director Rouven Schröder. The former Mainz, Schalke, and RB Leipzig administrator was keen to welcome the 32-year-old as a key signing in his released statement.

“Stefan is a leader,” Schröder noted. “He will lead the way both on the pitch and in the locker room.“

“My goal here is to do everything I can to ensure that FC Red Bull Salzburg plays at the highest level again, ideally in the Champions League,” Lainer himself said. “I want to be an important part of getting us back on track. Overall, I see a lot of potential here in Salzburg that can be tapped. The return home is a great opportunity for me to be part of something big.”

GGFN | Peter Weis