Anthony Rouault joins Stuttgart on a permanent basis | OneFootball

Stuttgart have signed Anthony Rouault (22) on a permanent basis, with the Frenchman signing a contract until 2027.

Kicker report that while Rouault joined Stuttgart on loan from Toulouse without a loan fee, there was a mandatory purchase option in the Frenchman’s contract. With the club’s Bundesliga status mathematically certain, it’s triggered the reported €3m purchase option.

Rouault has established himself as a key player in Sebastian Hoeneß’ Stuttgart with the club currently sitting third, as they look to secure Champions League football for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

The 22-year-old central-defender has played 866 minutes across 17 Bundesliga games this season, creating an exceptional partnership alongside Hiroki Ito and Waldemar Anton. Rouault, per Kicker’s ratings, is also outperforming compatriot Dan-Axel Zagadou.

Stuttgart are flying

Stuttgart currently find themselves third in the Bundesliga, six points ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Qualifying for Champions League football would be an incredible story for the club that finished in the relegation play-off for the last two seasons.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder