Bayern Munich utility man Frans Krätzig has joined VfB Stuttgart on loan for the coming season, both clubs said on Friday.
The 21-year-old will gain experience in the Bundesliga and Champions League at last season's surprise Bundesliga runners-up. Bayern have already signed Stuttgart defender Hiroki Ito.
"VfB Stuttgart now offers him the best opportunities to take the next step and further establish himself in professional football," Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund said in a statement.
Krätzig only signed a professional contract with Bayern last year. He has played seven competitive matches for the German record champions so far and was loaned out to Austrian first division club Austria Vienna for six months in January.
"We are convinced that he has the footballing ability and the right mentality to make the leap to Bundesliga player in the long term," said Stuttgart's sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth.
