Franz Stolz

Franz Stolz
Personal information
Full name Franz Valentin Stolz
Date of birth (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001
Place of birthBruck an der Mur, Austria
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
PositionGoalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Grazer AK(on loan from Genoa)
Number 12
Youth career
2006–2012 SV Oberaich
2012–2013 SC Bruck/Mur
2013–2015Grazer AK
2015–2018Kapfenberger SV
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2016–2021Kapfenberger SV 32 (0)
2016 → SV Thörl (loan) 0 (0)
2017–2018Kapfenberger SV II 5 (0)
2021–2023SKN St. Pölten 49 (0)
2024–Genoa 0 (0)
2025–2026 → Rapid București (loan) 12 (0)
2026– → Grazer AK (loan) 0 (0)
International career
2018–2019Austria U18 5 (0)
2021–2022Austria U21 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 August 2025

Franz Valentin Stolz (born 14 February 2001) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Austrian Bundesliga club Grazer AK, on loan from Serie A club Genoa.

Early life

Stolz is a native of Oberaich, Austria.[1]

Career

Early career in Austria

Stolz started his professional career with Austrian club Kapfenberger SV, progressing from the youth setup into the senior squad. He made his debut in the Austrian 2. Liga in a 3–0 defeat against SKU Amstetten on 27 July 2018.[2] He spent several seasons in Austria’s second tier, establishing himself as a reliable goalkeeper.

SKN St. Pölten

In July 2021, Stolz moved to SKN St. Pölten on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[3] He became the first‑choice goalkeeper and accumulated numerous league appearances over three seasons, competing in the Austrian 2. Liga and contributing to the team’s defensive strength.

Move to Italy

On 27 January 2024, Stolz signed with Genoa CFC of the Italian Serie A, marking a step up to one of Europe’s top‑flight leagues. The club announced his arrival as a new signing for their Primavera (U-19) squad with an option for the first team.[4] Despite the high‑profile move, he did not make a first‑team appearance for Genoa before being loaned out to gain more playing time.

Loan to Romania

In January 2025, Genoa loaned Stolz to Romanian Liga I side FC Rapid București for the remainder of the season.[5] He featured regularly during his loan spell, making multiple appearances in SuperLiga matches and recording several clean sheets, including in a 2–0 victory over FCV Farul Constanța.[6]

Return to Austria on loan

In early January 2026, Stolz’s loan with Rapid concluded and he was subsequently loaned to Austrian club Grazer AK for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.[7] The move marked his return to his home country to continue his development and strengthen Grazer’s goalkeeping department.

References

  1. ^"Franz Stolz erstmals ins Nationalteam einberufen". kleinezeitung.at.
  2. ^"Spielbericht: Kapfenberger SV vs. SKU Amstetten 0:3". Sky Sport Austria (in German). 27 July 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  3. ^"Neuer Torhüter für die Wölfe: Franz Stolz wechselt zum SKN St. Pölten". SKN St. Pölten (in German). 5 July 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  4. ^"Primavera, il Genoa ingaggia il portiere Franz Stolz". Genoa CFC (in Italian). 27 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  5. ^"Rapid a anunțat prima achiziție din această piață de transferuri: venirea unui portar din Serie A a Italiei". Digi Sport (in Romanian). 10 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  6. ^"Rapid - Farul 2-0". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  7. ^"Grazer AK verpflichtet Torhüter Franz Stolz". Grazer AK (in German). 3 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
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