Pejcinovic scores hat-trick in Stuttgart debut, eyed for national team

Dzenan Pejcinovic announced his arrival at VfB Stuttgart with a stunning hat-trick in his debut match, a 4-0 DFB-Pokal victory over Hansa Rostock. The 21-year-old striker, a highly anticipated signing from VfL Wolfsburg for 25 million euros, expressed his surprise and satisfaction with the dream start.

"Honestly, I didn't expect that," Pejcinovic said after the game. "Of course, you're happy to have had such a debut. It gives you a good feeling for the next games." His decision to join Stuttgart, a Champions League participant, came after turning down offers from clubs like FC Porto, SC Freiburg, and Benfica Lisbon.

Stuttgart's coach Sebastian Hoeneß recognized the significant investment and effort made to secure Pejcinovic. "We fought for him," Hoeneß stated. "It was clear very early for him and for us that we wanted to do this. Now he is here. It was a dream debut for the boy. Nevertheless, it is now also our job as a club to correctly contextualize the hype that is supposed to arise immediately."

The impressive debut has already fueled speculation about Pejcinovic's potential inclusion in the German national team under new coach Jürgen Klopp. However, Stuttgart's sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, urged caution. "He will develop. He will continue to stabilize in the Bundesliga. And then the path can certainly lead there at some point," Wohlgemuth commented, emphasizing a measured approach to the young player's career progression.