Against Juventus: Stojilkovic’s “heart’s decision” for SV Darmstadt

Juventus was there too

With Filip Stojilkovic, SV Darmstadt 98 upgraded in attack during the winter break and underpinned its ambitions as the leader of the second division. The 23-year-old came from FC Sion, signed a contract until 2027 – and advanced with a fee of less than 2 million euros according to the “Hessian Radio” Probably the second most expensive purchase at the “Lilies”. Everything could have turned out very differently, after all Juventus Turin was on Stojilkovic.

In a round of media, the offensive man confirmed that he had decided against the top Italian club. For good reason. “Yes, there was something to it. But stop with loans,” Stojilkovic said (via “hr-sport”). Such a project was not in his mind. Because: “At my age it is important that you have a club that stands behind you and that you are not constantly loaned out.”

For the professional, who has a Serbian and a Swiss passport, the choice of Darmstadt was ultimately “a decision of the heart. I felt right at home.” Stojilkovic spent his youth in Zurich with FC and Red Star before moving to TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. After a season in the U19s, he returned to Switzerland, to FC Wil. There he was not only able to gain his first experience in professional football, but also contributed eight goals. This caught the attention of FC Sion, who signed him for around €400,000 in the winter of 2020.

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After a half-series with sporadic appearances, he was loaned out to FC Aarau for a season, where he completed an extremely successful Challenge League season with 15 goals and four assists. Back in the Super League, things were similar for him to the year before. With eleven goals and four assists, he was not only Sions’ top scorer, but also the third-best Swiss scorer in the league. Stojilkovic has had a similarly good run this season with five goals and two assists. After signing Mario Balotelli (32), he received a little less playing time than the year before. In Switzerland, the right-footed player is considered one of the hopes for attacking the national team – and should now also prove this in the German lower house.

SV Darmstadt’s newcomer Stojilkovic on problems with the Sion boss

The “lilies” apparently put out their feelers early on to convince Stojilkovic. “Last autumn I looked at everything here and met a few people personally. I immediately felt at ease. But there were problems with the president in Sion, who didn’t want to let me go. That was difficult. Most clubs then say ‘Ciao’. But Darmstadt stayed tuned. I thought that was great,” said the striker “Picture” quoted. “Suddenly it was: ‘Come to Darmstadt.’ I was very happy there. And now I’m here.”

First of all, Stojilkovic has to be patient. “We’re glad he found his way to us. The team received him sensationally. Filip will be in the squad but is not an option for the starting XI just yet. He still has to get used to the high intensity with us,” said coach Torsten Lieberknecht on Thursday. Darmstadt’s most dangerous players this season are Phillip Tietz (8 goals), Braydon Manu (5), Tobias Kempe and Patric Pfeiffer (4 each). On Friday evening (6.30 p.m.) we go away to SV Sandhausen.

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