After four years with the youth team, he had earned a reputation as one of Rovers' most promising prospects and, undaunted as he had been when he first arrived on English shores, Hoilett didn't hesitate when offered the chance to move to Germany on loan in search of regular football. After signing for German second division side Paderborn, a 17-year-old Hoilett broke into the first-team in the second half of the season but couldn't help the struggling side to safety.
However, his efforts for Paderborn tempted newly-promoted St Pauli to take him for the 2008-09 season, where Hoilett impressed with six goals in 21 games before a UK work-permit wrangle saw Rovers fight hard to ensure he could come back to Ewood. The two-year spell in Germany was an experience the teenager relished, though, with Hoilett insisting it represented a crucial stage in his football education.
"My time in Germany helped me as a player mentally, and it helped me in football terms too. It was good to meet new players and see how other players are abroad and experience another culture, learn another language. It's a good opportunity for the development for any young player. I don't think it's something that all players can do, though, and I am lucky that I had a good family and support around me to help me through."
