Teenage sensation Alou Kuol will leave Central Coast and join Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart on a four-year deal at the end of the A-League season.
The 19-year-old has had a breakthrough campaign for the table-topping Mariners, scoring seven goals in 16 games.
Kuol had been linked to Stuttgart for several weeks but on Friday the German team confirmed they had signed him just over a year after his senior debut against Western United at the start of March 2020.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
“Alou Kuol has attracted attention as one of the top rookies in the Australian A-League and impressed us in face-to-face conversations with his personality and ambition,” Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat said.
The Germans are expected to start Kuol’s European journey in their under-21 program before any opportunity at senior level.
Mariners head of football Ken Schembri said the club was very proud of the former Goulburn Valley junior’s development at Gosford.
“We believe that we have a number of youngsters coming through our academy pipeline now who are capable of achieving great things in the future,” Schembri said.
Kuol and the Mariners will be out to maintain the club’s standing at the top of the A-League when they face Western United in Launceston on Saturday.
Tekkers
Roar Rookie
I mean the fact that Robert L, Josh K and Timo Werner all went and played for Stuggart 2 and then went onto have more than successful careers, you don't pass up on that opportunity.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
the lethal combination between Marco and Matty? they aren't an ideal combination, Simon holds the ball up and lays off the ball though is still quite mobile for his age, Urena would prefer a player who runs off him, more importantly Marco doesn't match the intensity of Simons pressing up front. They paid a lot of money for Urena, its wasted they would be better off with a good presser. Kuol is more of an impact player now because , he runs out of juice if he starts but he needs to change that and improve his defensive work rate as well.
Ferno
Guest
He could still learn to be a star like Mc Laren. Do you think Jacob Italiano is having more fun in Germany s 4th thier than Jammie is having here?
Winter A League is Awesome
Guest
If anyone gets the chance to play overseas than they should take the chance even if its just for the adventure. If he is already playing well in the top team at the moment than isn't much more he can learn. Plus could be a better a future socceroo.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
4th tier is nowhere near a league quality, don't worry he'll be back in 2 years time like all the kids who go over too early
Ferno
Guest
That small thinking that makes a-league crap. If playing 4th tier in Grmany is supposed to be better than a-league and asian champions league, than just forget australian professional football.
Tekkers
Roar Rookie
He won't be bench warming over there the Mariners had lengthy conversations with their 2nd team coach who will play him in the 4th division, getting him ready for the Bundesliga just like they did with Robert L and Joshua K. He would be in the starting line up for the Mariners if it wasn't for the lethal combination play between Marco and Matty up front. He started multiple games but the club played big money for Marco and don't want to see him on the bench. \ Plus Kuol is an impact player who scores quite a lot from the bench so why not use them their when he's been so lethal?
Ferno
Guest
Another good young player that could shine in A-league going to warn up the bench in europe, like Italiano, Arzani and others. Seems to be a step forward but it´s not. Those guys should first become a big player in the small league before moving to the big league. Kuol is not even a starting eleven in CCM. What kind of opportunities do you believe he is going to have to play in Germany? And player need to play real games to develop - training is not enough. Or does anyone believe Italiano and Arzani are better players now that they would be playing A-league?
Tekkers
Roar Rookie
Transfer fee was around 500,000k plus a sell on clause of I'm guessing of around 5-10%.
David
Roar Rookie
Believe the man has a brother at the Victory. Funnily enough, a few years ago I was meant to play against his side (The GV suns), but those were the only two games I missed in that season.
Franko
Guest
Great for the young lad who from memory was snubbed by Victory. Most importantly though for our competition, what is the transfer fee ?