Wolfsburg release Kaylen Hinds but what really happened?

Just a week after the close of the transfer window and with only one Bundesliga appearance in just over a year, it’s unlikely Hinds will look back on his time with Wolfsburg fondly.

Now 20, Hinds signed for Wolfsburg last summer, netting Arsenal £2m. Although he left Arsenal aged 19 without having made a senior appearance for the club, he was highly rated and expected to go on to big things.

He arrived at Wolfsburg and made his debut in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund in a 3-0 defeat, but that would be his only senior appearance for them which was not surprising as he was purchased with an eye on the future rather than to be an immediate first-teamer.

Hinds spent the second half of last season on loan with Greuther Furth who paid £900k for the privilege, nearly 50% of what Arsenal got for a player who had only signed a new deal a few months before they sold him. Injuries impacted his spell in Furth, delaying his debut until May when the season was almost over and restricting him to just one appearance.

He returned to Wolfsburg at the end of the loan spell that saw him suffer hip flexor problems, issues with his stomach, including stomach ‘flu, and other muscular problems.

Although he was present for pre-season training initially, an unauthorised week-long absence has been seen by Wolfsburg as a step too far, prompting them to terminate his contract, leaving him without a club.

"He has not fulfilled his contractual obligations despite repeated requests,” Wolfsburg’s managing director, Jorg Schmadtke said in a club statement. “We do not tolerate such behaviour."

Hinds originally signed a three-year deal with the Germans and his best moment probably came just after he signed for them from Arsenal when he scored in his debut in a pre-season friendly and went on to grab three in five.

Before he left Arsenal, Hinds wrote on his Instagram, "Firstly I want to thank everyone at Arsenal for the amazing 5 years at the club from all my managers and staff members on and off the pitch that have helped me in my career so far. I'm happy to announce that I have moved to Wolfsburg. This is a big new challenge for me moving abroad but I believe this is the best move to further my development and I can't wait to get started and push on with my career #wolves"

As a free agent, Hinds can now sign for any club that wants him.

After this, however, who will that be?