Paul Wanner joins Heidenheim on loan from Bayern Munich
Heidendeim have moved to snap up Bayern Munich attacking-midfielder Paul Wanner on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
The highly-versatile attacker - who became Bayern's youngest-ever Bundesliga debutant as a 16-year-old - impressed following a loan spell at second-tier Elversberg last season and he is now set to continue his impressive development under coach Frank Schmidt at the Voith-Arena.
"Paul is still a very young but exceptionally talented attacking player with enormous development potential," explained Heidenheim CEO Holger Sanwald. "Last season, he was already a top performer in the second division at Elversberg and continued to draw attention to himself. We are all the more pleased that Paul has decided in favour of Heidenheim and that this loan has now come about thanks to a partner-like solution between Bayern Munich and ourselves. At the same time, we are convinced that Paul will take his next developmental steps with us in the Bundesliga in the coming season and that everyone involved will ultimately benefit from this loan."
Wanner added: "I'm looking forward to this new challenge and will do everything I can to ensure that Heidenheim stay in the Bundesliga once again. I believe that the step into the Bundesliga has come at the right time for me and would like to thank Bayern and Heidenheim for the opportunity to prove this now."
First donning the Bayern youth-team colours at U14 level after making the switch to the Bavarian giants from FV Ravensburg, Wanner blazed a trail as he rose through the club's academy ranks, and there was little surprise when he made his Bundesliga bow against Borussia Mönchengladbach in January 2022.
He has already amassed eight senior appearances for FCB, while last term Wanner weighed in with 10 goal involvements in 28 appearances for an Elversberg side that finished 11th in Bundesliga 2.
“Paul is continuing to develop, got lots of playing time at Elversberg, scored goals and provided assists, and is ready for the next level," said Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund. "The goal now is to permanently learn the level of the Bundesliga. He has every opportunity at Heidenheim to take another big step, with the club also playing in Europe in the Conference League. We’re very pleased with how he’s progressing and will continue to be close by his side.”
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Wanner - a Germany U20 international - will look to settle in quickly at his new surroundings, with Heidenheim all set to feature in a UEFA Conference League play-off having achieved a superb eighth-placed finish in their maiden Bundesliga campaign.
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