VFL Bochum Away Nike 2017-18 Vintage Long Sleeve #7 Jersey

VFL Bochum 2017-18 — Nike Long-Sleeve Away Shirt, Boys L, Number 7

2017-18 season, 2. Bundesliga, a legendary club fighting to return to the elite: this is exactly where this VFL Bochum Nike away shirt was worn. An authentic long-sleeved jersey, number 7, Boys L size — the kind of piece true connoisseurs seek and won't encounter twice.

Jersey Details

Season: 2017-2018
Club: VFL Bochum
Type: Away
Manufacturer: Nike
Number: #7
Cut: Long-sleeve
Size: L Boys
Condition: 8/10
State: LITTLE DIRTY — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, light marks telling its story on the field

What this jersey represents

In 2017-18, VFL Bochum played in the 2. Bundesliga, the German second division, where the club was patiently trying to regain the elite status it lost in 1998 after decades in the Bundesliga. Der VfL remains one of the most popular clubs in the Ruhr region, with one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases in Germany, who continue to fill the Vonovia Ruhrstadion season after season despite the division. This away jersey is the symbol of a team that never gives up, that fights for every point away from home, in the hostile stadiums of the 2. Bundesliga.

That season, Bochum relied on a strong squad, with players like Anthony Losilla, the iconic captain who perfectly embodies the club's combative identity, and Vitaly Janelt, a promising young midfielder who was starting to make a name for himself. The number 7, traditionally worn by an incisive attacking player, fits well with the spirit of a team that relies on intensity and pressing to compete with the division's top teams. Wearing this jersey meant embracing the identity of a working-class club that never gave up.

Moments etched in this jersey

A season of limbo in the 2. Bundesliga
In 2017-18, Bochum finished in the mid-table of the second division, neither relegated nor promoted — the purgatory that the club's supporters have known all too well for too long. But every away match, every point snatched away from the Ruhrstadion, remains etched in the collective memory of those who made the trip.

The Ruhrstadion as a mental fortress
Even on the road, VFL Bochum players knew they were wearing a jersey steeped in the history of a club founded in 1848 — one of the oldest football clubs in Germany. This away jersey precisely represents this ability to exist and fight away from home, an inseparable characteristic of the club's DNA.

Nike and Bochum: a solid partnership
During this period, Nike dressed VFL Bochum with clean and effective designs, typical of the American manufacturer's work with European second division clubs. The long-sleeve cut is particularly appreciated for autumn and winter matches in North Rhine-Westphalia, where temperatures drop and pitches become battlefields.

Authentic vs Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is a piece that actually circulated through the club's official channels or merchandising of the time — not a reproduction made later for the collector's market. The finishes are different, the materials have aged naturally, and every detail tells a true story. This is what separates a collector's jersey from simple sportswear.

This one displays an 8/10 condition with the mention LITTLE DIRTY: concretely, a few light marks that prove this jersey has lived, that it was worn by someone who truly loved it. This isn't a jersey pulled from a drawer, never touched — it's better than that, it's a jersey that had a life. And at 8/10, it remains in a condition well above average for a piece from this era.

Vintage Size Guide

Vintage sizes from the 2000s and 2010s are consistently smaller than modern cuts. What Nike called a Boys L back then would now correspond more to an adult S or slim XS, depending on your physique. Don't rely solely on the label — children's and junior cuts from this period are often worn by slim adults looking for a tight, authentic fit.

Before finalizing your order, take your measurements: chest circumference, shoulder-to-shoulder length, and total jersey length. Compare them with the flat measurements we provide. A vintage jersey that's too small or too large is a disappointment — a second of precaution prevents a lot of regret.

Why have it in your collection

VFL Bochum is one of those clubs that have left a lasting mark on German football history, with two Bundesliga championship titles (1971 and 1993) and an almost continuous presence in the top flight for decades. Finding a Nike long-sleeve away shirt from the 2017-18 season in Boys size with the number 7 is getting your hands on a niche piece — not the kind of item you see lying around on every resale site. German second division club jerseys from this period are still undervalued compared to their actual historical interest, making them particularly interesting collector's investments today.

At 8/10, with just enough wear to be authentic without being damaged, this jersey ticks all the boxes for the serious collector. There aren't many in this condition still circulating freely — most are either too worn or hidden in private collections of fans who will never let them go. This one is available now, in a condition that will allow you to wear it or display it without hesitation.

To go further

• VFL Bochum — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — Kit History
• UEFA — European Football

If you collect authentic German jerseys or have a special connection to the Ruhr and VFL Bochum, this 2017-18 Nike long-sleeve away jersey clearly belongs in your collection — it's the kind of piece you regret letting slip away.