Who Is Angelo Stiller and Why Did He Reject Man United Transfer?

Who is Angelo Stiller? That is a question many Manchester United fans might be asking after learning that he reportedly rejected a move to Old Trafford late in the summer transfer window.

United made some big signings in the summer. Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens joined as United splashed out £232.4 million — significantly contributing to a record-breaking £3.2 BILLION in transfer fees paid by Premier League clubs.

The arrivals of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko saw Ruben Amorim’s attacking options change dramatically. However, the same cannot be said in midfield.

Man United wanted Angelo Stiller

According to reports in Germany, United approached VfB Stuttgart on August 31 — one day before the transfer window closed — to enquire about the availability of Angelo Stiller.

Stuttgart were reluctant to sell Stiller, having already lost two first-team stars earlier in the summer, with Nick Woltemade leaving for Newcastle, and Enzo Millot heading to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

Stiller himself was also said to have been uninterested in joining United.

Why did Angelo Stiller reject Man United?

As reported by BILD, Stiller did not want to leave Stuttgart because he is currently a first-team regular there and he is hoping to be able to play his way into the Germany squad for next summer’s World Cup.

He could become interested after the World Cup, but United will still likely need to perform much better this season than last if they are to convince Stiller that Old Trafford is the best place for him to develop and thrive.

United ended the 2024-25 campaign 15th in the Premier League. That, coupled with their defeat by Tottenham in the final of the Europa League, saw the Red Devils miss out on qualifying for European football.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart are in Europe this season. They finished eighth in the 2024-25 edition of the Bundesliga but earned a spot in the Europa League by winning the German Cup. Stiller scored a stunning long-range goal against RB Leipzig during the semi-finals.

Who is Angelo Stiller?

Angelo Stiller is a 24-year-old defensive midfielder who came through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich.

He regularly featured for Bayern Munich II in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. However, he left for Hoffenheim in January 2021 after making just three first-team appearances for Bayern.

Stiller played 47 times in the Bundesliga during his spell with Hoffenheim before signing for Stuttgart on a four-year deal in August 2023.

He made 31 Bundesliga appearances in each of his first two seasons with Stuttgart and also played a key role in the club’s DFB-Pokal triumph in 2024-25.

Born in Munich but also eligible to play for Croatia due to his maternal heritage, Stiller had a decision to make when it came to his international career.

He chose Germany. Having represented his country of birth at U17, U18, U20 and U21 levels, Stiller made his senior international debut in September 2024.

Angelo Stiller’s style of play

Angelo Stiller is left-footed. Although naturally a defensive midfielder, he can also operate further forward.

His standout attributes are his composure, vision, passing and his first touch. He also works hard and is not afraid to make a tackle.

Many pundits have likened Stiller to Germany legend Toni Kroos. It has also been reported that Kroos himself is a big fan of Stiller and that he recommended him to Real Madrid as a potential signing.

It remains to be seen where Stiller will move if he chooses to leave Stuttgart in the next year or two. However, he seemingly knows where he wants to end his playing career.

Stiller recently said: “Only one thing is certain for me: At the end of my career, I absolutely want to play in the USA, in the MLS. This is 100 per cent my plan, my goal.”