Dan-Axel Zagadou begins grass running in Stuttgart recovery

Dan-Axel Zagadou has made a small but encouraging step in his recovery for VfB Stuttgart after a muscle injury sidelined him for several weeks.

The 27-year-old centre-back returned to the training ground on Tuesday and completed his first running sessions on the grass, according to local reports.

Working individually with athletic coach Martin Franz, Zagadou focused on light field work rather than team training. He is still in the rehabilitation phase after hurting the back of his thigh around a month ago in a preseason match against Everton FC.

The update offers Stuttgart some hope, but the defender is not close to full fitness yet. A return to collective training will take more time, and he is unlikely to be an option before the upcoming international break.

For Stuttgart, the news is nevertheless positive because it shows the recovery process is moving in the right direction. Zagadou’s presence would strengthen their defensive depth once he is fully available again, especially given his experience and physical profile.

The club will now monitor how he responds to these first outdoor sessions before increasing his workload. If all goes well, the next stage should be ball work and more intense drills, but the immediate focus remains patience and a safe return to full training.