ER is the Stuttgart king transfer of this summer: Josha Vagnoman (21)! The full-back came from Hamburger SV for 4.5 million euros (including bonus payments).
BILD now reveals his wishes (the national team), his goals (to learn to cook) and his secrets (he becomes the new neighbor of the coach)…
► The family man
Vagnoman lived with his parents in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel until the summer. That changed with the move to VfB. He will live in a hotel near the stadium until September 1st, after which he will move into his first apartment. His girlfriend will not move to Stuttgart for the time being. Vagnoman: “I’m looking forward to this new experience. For me it’s not so bad to stand on my own two feet. For example, I have made it my goal to learn to cook. But of course I can already do basics like pasta.” His parents and younger sister Helene were in the stadium at the league opener against Leipzig (1-1).
So far he has only worn the national dress for the DFB juniors. Vagnoman dreams of the senior national team.
► The neighbor
Curious: Vagnoman moves into the same residential complex where VfB coach Pellegrino Matarazzo resides. Vagnoman: “I’m sure we won’t see each other very often in our free time. Each of us has our family and needs our own space.”
► His role model
It used to be Marcelo (34/currently without a club). Now it’s Kyle Walker (32) from Manchester City.
► The Northern Lights
In his first away game with VfB he goes to Bremen on Saturday. Born in Hamburg: “Games against Werder are always special for me. I’ll approach the game like a derby.”
► His almost goal
Against Leipzig he had the lead shortly after the break when he lobbed the ball over the goal from a free position. The right-back: “It wasn’t supposed to be a lob. The ball ticked up again beforehand and slipped over my instep. Very annoying.”
► The haven of peace
He goes full throttle on the pitch, but privately Vagnoman sees himself as a quiet person. “I’m not someone to stress with. At school, I was always one of those people who settled arguments rather than started them.” He likes listening to hip-hop. But when he had to sing in front of the team in the training camp – like all newcomers – he chose German pop. More precisely: “Just save the world for a moment” by Tim Bendzko.
► His flick target
A year ago he became European champion with the German U21 team. Is the national team his goal now? Vagnoman: Yes, of course. I’ll do my best and see if it’s enough for the national team at some point.”
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is the role model for VfB newcomer Vagnoman.
► The late starter
Until a year ago, Vagnoman always let his parents take him to training – because he didn’t have a driver’s license. The newcomer: “For me, the driver’s license was not the top priority, I neglected that a bit.” But he has had his driver’s license for almost a year.
