It was nine in the morning.
Mark arrived at the team base punctually.
After parking his second-hand black Beetle, he walked straight into the base.
Then, he froze at the entrance.
Because he didn't know where the meeting room was.
This was his first time coming from the youth team's NLZ base to the first team's training base.
Just as he was about to ask someone for directions, the team's fitness coach happened to pass by.
"Hey, Mark, great job yesterday!"
"Thanks."
"Excuse me, where is the meeting room?"
"Go straight ahead, then up to the second floor..."
Following the fitness coach's directions, he arrived at the meeting room and saw the club's sporting director and the team's head coach already waiting.
"Mr. Allofs... Coach... Good morning!"
"Please, have a seat."
At Wolfsburg, the sporting affairs were essentially decided by Allofs and Hecking, who were present.
Sitting opposite the two Wolfsburg giants, Mark remained composed, waiting for them to speak first.
Such a steady performance made Hecking and Allofs nod in approval.
However, thinking of Mark's background, a hint of sympathy appeared in the depths of Hecking's eyes as he looked at the black-haired young man.
"Mark, we asked you to come today to discuss a new contract..."
The entire negotiation process for the new contract went very smoothly.
The club showed great sincerity.
Wolfsburg highly valued the immense potential Mark displayed in the match.
Head coach Hecking immediately stated that Mark was in his plans for the first team and promised him thirty percent of playing time in the upcoming second half of the League.
Facing these promises, Mark felt they were very reliable and sensed the club's sincerity.
After all, he was just a young player from the youth team.
Even though he performed brilliantly in his Bundesliga debut, making a decisive contribution to equalize the score for the team.
But all in all, his professional playing time was a mere five minutes!
To make such a promise to a youth team player who didn't even have a transfer value showed how much Wolfsburg valued him.
Instead of going to other teams to adapt to a new environment, new teammates, and new tactics, the best choice was, of course, to stay at Wolfsburg and fight alongside star players like De Bruyne and Perisic!
There was no need to consider, nor to consult any so-called guardians.
After a simple medical examination, Mark, accompanied by the club's lawyer, signed his name on the four-year contract with an annual salary of 120,000 euros!
10,000 euros per month was the lowest in the entire Bundesliga.
However, for Mark, a single man who only had himself to feed, it was more than enough.
Moreover, there was a 30,000 signing bonus, as well as bonus clauses for goals, assists, Man of the Match awards, and so on.
Besides, a 10,000 monthly salary was only temporary.
As long as he proved his worth at Wolfsburg, whether by renewing his contract with the club or transferring to another club, his salary would increase.
In the world of football, strength always reigns supreme!
As long as one is strong enough and performs well enough on the field, status and money will follow!
With the official signing of his professional contract with Wolfsburg, Mark also took a signing photo with the two team bosses, Hecking and Allofs, and then published the good news on the club's official website.
"Congratulations, Mark. They should all be in the locker room now. I'll take you to meet your teammates."
"Okay."
Following Hecking, the two quickly arrived at the first team's locker room.
"Starting today, Mark will be a member of the first team. Let's give him a round of applause..."
As Head Coach Hecking announced, the Wolfsburg first team players all applauded in unison.
The first team players were not surprised by Mark's promotion to the first team.
With his impressive performance in his Bundesliga debut in the last match, he was fully capable of establishing himself in the first team!
Looking around, Mark noticed that Diego, Wolfsburg's core player who had played his last match yesterday, was no longer there.
The number ten locker was now empty.
"Could it be?!"
However, as a newcomer just promoted from the youth team to the first team, how could he get the number ten jersey... "Your locker is over there!"
Following the sound, he saw that his locker was right next to De Bruyne, who had just joined in the winter transfer window!
"Hey, Kevin! We meet again..."
Mark actively extended his hand to De Bruyne and greeted him.
De Bruyne also smiled slightly, reaching out to shake his hand:
"Yes, Mark. Congratulations on joining the first team!"
"Thanks..."
Perhaps it was because both of them were newcomers, or perhaps Mark's dribbling and assist yesterday made De Bruyne genuinely acknowledge this young man.
In this black-haired young man, he even saw the shadow of his national team teammate Hazard...
Sitting in his spot, Mark looked around, matching each face to those in his memory.
De Bruyne, Perisic, Dost, Gustavo, Naldo, Caligiuri, Arnold...
Wolfsburg's squad depth wasn't considered very strong.
After all, they were only competing on one front, with no European competition tasks.
The team's starting left and right wingers were Perisic and Caligiuri.
His main competitors, besides these two, also included the Portugal international Vieirinha.
Of course, in addition to Perisic, Caligiuri, and Vieirinha, the three regular wingers, De Bruyne and "Uncle Biscuit" Olić could also temporarily fill in as wingers.
This season, under Hecking's leadership, the team's main tactic was a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The flexibility and versatility of personnel and tactics were also why Wolfsburg had transformed from fighting for relegation last season to being a strong team that no opponent dared to underestimate today!
"Mark, your training kit and jersey will be delivered."
After a brief mention, Hecking's expression immediately became serious, and he clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention:
"Guys, the winter break is over, it's time to refocus!"
"In yesterday's match, we didn't play well at the start!"
"We are in a very good position in the League right now, don't slack off and let our efforts from the first half of the season go to waste!"
"Change into your clothes and gather on the training ground!"
After speaking, Hecking and the assistant coach walked out of the locker room.
And at this moment, as he was officially promoted to the first team, a pleasant female voice suddenly sounded in Mark's mind:
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for being promoted to the first team!]
[Season objective has been updated!]
[Season: 2013-14]
[Team: Wolfsburg]
[Objective: Maintain an average of four or more successful dribbles per game!]
[Reward: Random Star Player Card]