STUTTGART — VfB Stuttgart confirmed on Wednesday that goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is leaving the club after three years on loan and will return to his parent club, FC Bayern Munich. The announcement marks the end of a tenure in which Nübel made 129 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Nübel, 29, joined Stuttgart on loan from Bayern in 2022. During his time at the club, Stuttgart qualified for European competition in each of the past three seasons and won the DFB Cup.

"Alexander Nübel has set standards over the last three years, both on and off the pitch, and at both a sporting and personal level. Alex could always be relied upon, and VfB’s positive development, culminating in a third successive year of European football, owes a great deal to him," said Fabian Wohlgemuth, VfB Stuttgart's board member for sport. "Alex has our heartfelt thanks for our time together and for his commitment to VfB, and we wish him nothing but the best for the future, both professionally and personally."

Nübel expressed deep gratitude for his experience in Stuttgart. "I had a sensational time at VfB Stuttgart in every respect. My family and I had three wonderful years in Stuttgart, and I felt right at home from day one. The team and the fans showed me so much appreciation and respect, which I’m very grateful for." He added: "It was a very successful time on the pitch too: We qualified for Europe on three occasions, experienced unforgettable evenings in the Champions League and Europa League, and celebrated a very special moment with the DFB Cup victory - one that I will remember forever."

Despite his return to Bayern, Nübel’s immediate future remains uncertain. FC Bayern Munich has made clear that they intend to sell him this summer, opening the possibility of a permanent transfer to another club.