The Germany international has been sidelined for much of the last 18 months due to a knee injury but says it is “an insane joy” to have begun full training again
Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber is looking forward to a “new beginning” after enduring an injury-plagued season.
The Germany international has not played for Bayern since suffering a cruciate ligament tear in his right knee against Borussia Dortmund in December 2012.
A recurrence of the same injury last May forced Badstuber into another stint on the sidelines, but a return to training earlier this month offered hope that the 25-year-old could be fit for the start of next season.
Badstuber has revealed he is doing all he can to be ready for pre-season training.
“I’ll train through now just up to the start of training in July,” he told Kicker. “It is an insane joy to be back on the field.
“This time has made me a different person. I am now faced with a new beginning.”
Badstuber went on to stress that he accepts there may be doubts over whether he can return to his best form following the lengthy lay-off, but insists he is only preoccupied with recovering full fitness.
“It’s logical there were doubts around the club. We’re a massive club. But I don’t think about what might be planned, but only about myself,” he added.