Ben Khalifa takes chance to shine with Young Boys

VfL Wolfsburg's Swiss Under-21 international forward Nassim Ben Khalifa will spend the season on loan with UEFA Europa League contenders BSC Young Boys.

Ben Khalifa is returning to Switzerland after a solitary campaign with the German club, although Wolfsburg have nonetheless shown faith in the 19-year-old by extending his contract until the summer of 2015. Coach Felix Magath explained the decision to loan him out, saying: "It is important for Nassim to get match practice and to develop further."

Part of the Swiss teams that won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and reached last week's UEFA European U21 Championship final, Ben Khalifa joined Wolfsburg 12 months ago after scoring eight goals in 28 Super League games for Grasshopper-Club. He did not feature for the Wolves' first team in 2010/11 but did make his Bundesliga debut with a ten-minute cameo while on loan at 1. FC Nürnberg during the second half of the campaign.

The teenager, who also has two senior Switzerland caps, said of this latest change of clubs: "Going to Germany was not a mistake. I have learned a lot. Now Young Boys have signed me because they believe in me. I want to show what I am capable of." Young Boys will enter the UEFA Europa League in the third qualifying round having finished third in the Swiss top flight.