DR Congo winger Silas Wamangituka has been ruled out of action since late March. But he did enough to clinch the Bundesliga newcomer award ahead of teammate Mateo Klimowicz, Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Matthew Hoppe (Schalke 04), Ritsu Doan (Arminia Bielefeld) and Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich).

Wamangituka suffered an ACL injury in VfB Stuttgart’s defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this year. And he is only expected to make a return to action at the start of October.

The 21-year-old scored 11 goals and assisted a further five in 25 Bundesliga appearances this season. This includes a terrific solo strike against Mainz.

He won the Rookie of the Month award three times (November, December and February). And he was therefore eligible for the main prize.

Apart from being lethal in front of goal, Wamangituka is also amongst the fastest players in Germany’s top division having clocked a top speed of 35.42 km/h.

VfB Stuttgart, who were promoted back to Germany’s top division at the end of last season, could finish as high as seventh in the current campaign – barring results go their way on the final day of the season this Saturday.