Stuttgart acquires defender Chabot from relegated Cologne
Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart announced on Saturday the signing of center back Jeff Chabot from relegated Cologne. Chabot, 26, will join Stuttgart on a contract lasting until 2028, with the transfer fee estimated at €4 million ($4.3 million).
Earlier in the week, Chabot revealed he was leaving Cologne amid rumors of his move to Stuttgart, who finished second behind Bayer Leverkusen and secured a spot in the next Champions League.
“I’m excited to take on a new challenge at VfB Stuttgart and have the opportunity to play at the highest level in Europe, in the Champions League,” Chabot said in a club statement. “This has always been a dream for me, and I’m thrilled to see it come true with a club that has such a rich history.”
Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth commented that Chabot “is set to play a crucial role in our defense. His experience, mindset, and quality will make us better prepared to compete on three fronts next season.”
Chabot joins a list of recent Stuttgart signings, including Nick Woltemade from Werder Bremen, Yannik Keitel from Freiburg, Stefan Drljaca from Dynamo Dresden, and Justin Diehl, also from Cologne. Additionally, Stuttgart has finalized the loan deals of Jamie Leweling from Union Berlin and Leonidas Stergiou from Swiss side St Gallen.
However, the futures of key players Serhou Guirassy, Deniz Undav, and Chris Führich remain uncertain. Undav’s loan from Brighton & Hove Albion has ended, while Guirassy and Führich reportedly have release clauses in their contracts and have been linked to other clubs, with Führich potentially moving to Bayern Munich.
