Stuttgart's Silas reveals he has been playing under a false identity

was a key player for

in their 2020-21 campaign, scoring 11 goals for the Bundesliga side in his 25 league appearances. The Congolese player has now revealed he has been working under a false identity in Germany. The player’s real name is

Silas Katompa Mvumpa

and he was born in 1998, not 1999, which makes him 22-year-old.

“I have lived in constant fear in recent years and I was also very worried about my family in the Congo. It was a difficult step for me to reveal my story,"

he told the club’s official

.

"I only dared to do this with the support of my new consultants. I realised that I no longer have to be afraid and that we can put everything on the table together.

"I wouldn't have dared to take this step if Stuttgart, my team and VfB hadn't become a second home for me where I feel safe. Today I am very relieved, and I hope that I can also encourage other players who have had similar experiences with agents.

"I am deeply grateful to VfB Stuttgart for all the trust and support they have shown during this time."

Silas started his career in the Democratic Republic of Congo before moving to France. The young striker played for

Ales

in 2017 and moved to Ligue 1 club

a year later. The Congolese player moved to Stuttgart in 2019, where he signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side. Silas has revealed that a Belgian agent has changed his personal data after gaining control of his bank account and passport. Stuttgart’s sporting director

Sven Mislintat

insisted that Silas will remain in the team’s squad after the controversy.

"Silas remains the player and the person who has played his way into the hearts of our fans and his teammates since he was here in Stuttgart,"

The former

sporting director said.

"In terms of the name change, he is above all a victim. We will protect him accordingly. I have great respect for the fact that at his young age he was almost on his own and without knowing the consequences he dared to take the step to clarify his situation.

"We will continue to help him in every way possible. Silas is part of the VfB family. He should also play football for VfB Stuttgart in the coming season as soon as he has recovered from his cruciate ligament tear."

Follow

for the

.