on 11 May, Everton manager David Moyes revealed that Wessels and fellow team member Thomas Gravesen would leave the club after their contracts expired. David Moyes said "I would like to thank Stefan Wessels who, after today, will be leaving us. His level of professionalism has been a credit to him and he has been a great man to have around the club." VfL Osnabrück In June 2008, Wessels signed a two-year contract with VfL Osnabrück of the 2. Bundesliga. He started the 2008–09 season as their first-choice goalkeeper, making his competitive debut on 8 August 2008 in their 2–0 defeat at FSV Frankfurt in the first round of the DFB-Pokal and going on to make his league debut in a 2–2 draw at FC St. Pauli on 15 August 2008. He played 21 league games for VfL, but left in June 2009, after their relegation from the 2. Bundesliga. Basel On 23 October 2009, Wessels signed for the Swiss side FC Basel until the end of the 2009–10 season, as a replacement for injured goalkeeper Franco Costanzo. He was able to sign outside the transfer window because he was free agent. He said "I am very pleased that it has worked out with FC Basel, and the wait has been worthwhile. I'm happy that I've signed with such a big club." He joined Basel's first team during their 2009–10 season under head coach Thorsten Fink, who he played alongside while at Bayern Munich. After playing in one test game, Wessels played his team debut for the club in the home game in the St. Jakob-Park on 20 November as Basel won 4–2 against rivals Zürich. He played his domestic league debut for the club nine days later in the away game in the Stadion Wankdorf as Basel were defeated 2–0 by Young Boys. In the 35th minute referee Massimo Busacca awarded the home team a penalty following a handball. Wessel held the spot kick taken by Gilles Yapi Yapo. At the end of the 2009–10 season he won the Double with his club. They won the League Championship title with 3 points advantage over second placed Young Boys. The team won the Swiss Cup, winning the final 6–0 against Lausanne-Sport. Wessels left the club at the end of the season becoming free agent. During his time with the club Wessels played a total of 13 games for Basel. One