Stuttgart sign Macheda on loan from Man United

24-Jan-2013 11:04:00 PM

The 21-year-old has joined the Bundesliga side on a short-term deal until the end of the season, following previous spells at QPR and Sampdoria

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has joined Stuttgart on loan until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The Premier League leaders have reached an agreement with the side currently 10th in the Bundesliga, with the 21-year-old having finalised the deal in Germany on Thursday afternoon.

The Italian striker is leading the Under-21s goalscoring charts at United this season, and has made three appearances for the first team.

Macheda has had previous loan spells at QPR and Sampdoria, though in both instances the clubs parted company with their managers a short time after his arrival, and Macheda says he is happy to make the move.

"I have followed the Bundesliga and naturally know about Stuttgart," Macheda told the club's official website. "I am glad that I can now play for the club.

"For me, it is about getting to know the team and what I can bring because we have a lot of interesting games in three different competitions in front of us."

Macheda will wear No.14 for VFB and could make his debut against league leaders Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Inside Goal.Com

Goal Special: I-League Team of the Season
Each of Goal's correspondents select their own XI, before eventually settling on a combined team, which represents the best of the lot from the 2012-13 season...
Champions League Final Tactical Analysis
Brendon Netto analyzes where the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich could be own or lost.
How Heynckes was always undermined
The veteran coach will step down from his position in charge of Die Roten after the Champions League final at Wembley. Goal reflects on how Heynckes was never given due credit....
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
Who is the greatest CL striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel