VfL Bochum hope Leon Goretzka will finish his career at the club

VfL Bochum are fervently hoping Leon Goretzka will return to the club where he began his career. Sporting director Ilja Kaenzig said: "Leon has made a lot of people in Bochum proud. He'll now play at the highest level once more before, we hope, coming back. That's our greatest wish – and hopefully his too." Goretzka joined Bochum's youth setup in 2001 and progressed through every age group over twelve years before moving to FC Schalke 04 in 2013.

He made 36 first-team appearances for VfL across all competitions, contributing to twelve goals (four scored, eight assisted), and told fans during the championship celebrations on Marienplatz that a move to VfL was "always an option." Kaenzig suggested a return could coincide with the Ruhrstadion renovation, saying: "Once the Ruhrstadion has been fully refurbished, that would be a good time.

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