Kevin Großkreutz (born 19 July 1988) is a semi-retired German professional footballer who plays as a right back and winger for Westfalenliga 2 club Wacker Castrop.

Kevin Großkreutz
Großkreutz with VfB Stuttgart in 2016
Personal information
Full name Kevin Großkreutz[1]
Date of birth (1988-07-19) 19 July 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Dortmund, West Germany
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Right-back, Winger
Team information
Current team
SV Wacker Obercastrop
Number 19
Youth career
1992–1995 DJK Rot-Weiß Obereving
1995–1999 VfL Kemminghausen
1999–2002 FC Merkur 07 Dortmund
2002–2003 Borussia Dortmund
2003–2006 Rot Weiss Ahlen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Rot Weiss Ahlen II 2 (2)
2006–2009 Rot Weiss Ahlen 94 (24)
2009–2015 Borussia Dortmund 176 (23)
2015 Borussia Dortmund II 6 (0)
2016 Galatasaray 0 (0)
2016–2017 VfB Stuttgart 26 (1)
2017–2018 Darmstadt 98 27 (3)
2018–2020 KFC Uerdingen 45 (0)
2021–2023 TuS Bövinghausen 52 (9)
2023– SV Wacker Obercastrop 0 (0)
International career
2010 Germany U21 1 (1)
2010–2014 Germany 6 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Germany
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2014 Brazil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 February 2023

He made his senior debut at Rot Weiss Ahlen, and in 2009 joined Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga, making 233 appearances for them across all competitions and scoring 27 goals. His honours during his time at the Westfalenstadion included two consecutive Bundesliga titles, including a double in 2012.

In summer 2015, after featuring sparingly at Borussia Dortmund, Großkreutz moved to Süper Lig club Galatasaray where he did not make a single appearance in half a season. He returned to the Bundesliga signing with VfB Stuttgart in January 2016. In March 2017 his contract was terminated after he was involved in a bar fight. A month later, he joined 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98. After one season with Darmstadt 98, he spent two seasons with KFC Uerdingen 05 in the 3. Liga before joining TüS Bövninghausen in January 2021

A full international for Germany between 2010 and 2014, he was part of their team which won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

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Early career

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Großkreutz began his career with the Dortmund clubs DJK Rot-Weiß Obereving, VfL Kemminghausen and FC Merkur 07. In 2002, he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he played until he moved to Rot Weiss Ahlen. Promoted to first team in 2006,[2] he led the club to promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in 2008. He scored 12 goals and was named in the German sports magazine's kicker XI of the year.[3] Großkreutz performed in the 2nd tier of the German league pyramid well too and went up to the German top-flight after the 2008-09 season.[4]

Borussia Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund players (from left to right: Marco Stiepermann, Marcel Schmelzer, Mats Hummels and Kevin Großkreutz) celebrate winning the Bundesliga in 2011.
 
Großkreutz with Borussia Dortmund in 2014

He opened his account with Dortmund on 5 December 2009 in a 4–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.[5] Sven Bender provided him with a diagonal pass that Großkreutz tucked past Alexander Stephan in goal to give Dortmund a 1–0 lead on eight minutes.[6]

Großkreutz opened his goalscoring account for the new season on 22 September 2010, finishing a nice play as Dortmund thrashed 1. FC Kaiserslautern 5–0.[7] In the following round of fixtures, Dortmund faced promoted side FC St. Pauli at the Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg. Großkreutz scored two goals on either side of a Shinji Kagawa strike as Dortmund won 3–1 with Großkreutz being named man of the match.[8][9] On 29 November 2010, Großkreutz signed a four-year contract extension to stay with Dortmund until July 2014.[10] He was involved in all three goals on 14 January 2011, scoring two and providing an assist for Mario Götze, as Dortmund defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3–1 at the BayArena.[11][12] Großkreutz had a phenomenal second season with Dortmund, netting eight goals and managing seven assists as die Borussen lifted the Bundesliga title.[13]

Großkreutz figured in Borussia Dortmund's 4–2 victory over Bayern Munich on 27 July 2013, at BVB's Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund to lift the 2013 DFL-Supercup.[14]

On 11 December 2013, Großkreutz scored the winning goal away to Marseille in a 2–1 UEFA Champions League win to qualify Dortmund for the knockout phase.[15]

From April to August 2015, Großkreutz was demoted to Borussia Dortmund II, for whom he played 6 times in lower divisions. In September 2015 he was sold to Galatasaray. However, the deal was not completed before the closure of the transfer window.[citation needed]

Galatasaray

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On 2 September 2015, it was announced by FIFA that Galatasaray had failed to submit the relevant documentation for Großkreutz before the transfer window closed. As a result FIFA refused to sanction Großkreutz's proposed move from Borussia Dortmund to Galatasaray, and the player was ineligible to play any matches until 1 January 2016.[16] Großkreutz signed a three-year contract worth an average of about €1.6 million per season, plus €20,000 per match bonus. Dortmund received a €1.5 million transfer fee and an extra €250,000 if Galatasaray qualified for the UEFA Champions League.[17]

VfB Stuttgart

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On 6 January 2016, having not made a single competitive appearance for Galatasaray, Großkreutz returned to Germany to join VfB Stuttgart for about €2.2 million.[18][19]

On 3 March 2017, the contract of Großkreutz was mutually terminated hours after he got into a bar fight.[20] Großkreutz said in a statement on the club website that he "made a mistake" and he wants "nothing to do with football for the time being."[21]

Darmstadt 98

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In April 2017, one month after his departure from VfB Stuttgart, Großkreutz signed with 2. Bundesliga club SV Darmstadt 98 for the 2017–18 season until 2019.[22] He gave his pre-season debut in a warm-up fixture against SG Modau on 23 June 2017.[23]

KFC Uerdingen

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On 5 July 2018, Großkreutz joined KFC Uerdingen 05.[24] His contract was terminated by the club in October 2020.[25]

On 24 January 2021, Großkreutz announced his retirement from professional football.[26]

TuS Bövinghausen

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On 26 January 2021, Großkreutz joined TuS Bövinghausen in the sixth-tier Westfalenliga.[27] At the end of the 2021–22 season, the club was promoted to the fifth-tier Oberliga Westfalen. On 27 August 2022, Großkreutz extended his contract with the club until 2025.[28]

International career

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Großkreutz made his full international debut in a friendly match against Malta on 13 May 2010,[29] helping set up striker Cacau for one of his two goals in a 3–0 win. He next appeared for Germany as a starter against Sweden in a 0–0 draw on 18 November 2010.[30]

In June 2014, he was named in Germany's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[31] Germany went on to win the tournament, though Großkreutz did not make any appearance during the competition. His sixth and last cap came later in this summer in an international friendly against World Cup final opponent Argentina.[32]

Personal life

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Großkreutz is a lifelong Borussia Dortmund supporter, growing up and living in the Dortmund area until his move away from the club.[33]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League DFB-Pokal Europe Other Total
League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rot Weiss Ahlen II 2006–07[34] Oberliga Westfalen 2 2 2 2
Rot Weiss Ahlen 2006–07[34] Regionalliga Nord 27 6 27 6
2007–08[35] Regionalliga Nord 35 12 1 0 36 12
2008–09[36] 2. Bundesliga 32 6 1 0 33 6
Total 94 24 2 0 0 0 0 0 96 24
Borussia Dortmund 2009–10[37] Bundesliga 32 5 1 0 33 5
2010–11[38] Bundesliga 34 8 2 1 7[a] 0 43 9
2011–12[34][39] Bundesliga 31 7 6 0 5[b] 1 1[c] 0 43 8
2012–13[34][40] Bundesliga 29 2 4 0 10[b] 0 1[c] 0 44 2
2013–14[34][41] Bundesliga 33 1 6 1 10[b] 1 1[c] 0 50 3
2014–15[34] Bundesliga 17 0 2 0 4[b] 0 23 0
Total 176 23 21 2 36 2 3 0 236 27
Borussia Dortmund II 2014–15[34] 3. Liga 2 0 2 0
2015–16[34] Regionalliga West 4 0 4 0
Total 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Galatasaray 2015–16[34] Süper Lig 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
VfB Stuttgart 2015–16[34] Bundesliga 10 0 1 0 11 0
2016–17[34] 2. Bundesliga 16 1 1 0 17 1
Total 26 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 28 1
Darmstadt 98 2017–18[34] 2. Bundesliga 27 3 1 0 28 3
KFC Uerdingen 2018–19[34] 3. Liga 33 0 0 0 33 0
2019–20[34] 3. Liga 12 0 1 0 13 0
Total 45 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 46 0
Career total 376 53 27 2 36 2 3 0 442 57
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ a b c Appearance in DFL-Supercup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[42]
National team Year Apps Goals
Germany 2010 2 0
2011 1 0
2012 0 0
2013 0 0
2014 3 0
Total 6 0

Honours

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Großkreutz after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final

Borussia Dortmund[43]

Germany[43]

References

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  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Germany" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ "RW Ahlen 2006–07". Skladyfutbol.pl. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  3. ^ "?". wuppertalersv.com. 5 June 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2011.[dead link]
  4. ^ Arnhold, Matthias (15 September 2021). "Kevin Großkreutz - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Und zur Not geht Kevin Großkreutz ins Tor" (in German). RP Online. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Borussia Dortmund 4–0 Nurnberg". ESPN Soccernet. 5 December 2009. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Sahin berauscht den BVB" (in German). kicker.de. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Grosskreutz at the double". ESPN Soccernet. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  9. ^ "St. Pauli 1 vs 3 Borussia Dortmund". Goal.com. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Borussia Dortmund Midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz Signs Contract Extension Until 2014". Goal.com. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Leverkusen 1–3 Dortmund: Dortmund pounce on defensive errors". zonalmarking.net. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Bayer Leverkusen 1–3 Borussia Dortmund". ESPN Soccernet. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  13. ^ "Grosskreutz: Arsenal my favourite". ESPN Soccernet. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Dortmund prevail over Bayern in Supercup thriller". Bundesliga. bundesliga.com. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  15. ^ "Marseille 1 Dortmund 2". BBC Sport. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Açıklama". Galatasaray (in Turkish). 2 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  17. ^ Galatasaray (1 September 2015). "Kevin Grosskreutz -transfer" (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  18. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz transfer completed". vfb.de. VfB Stuttgart. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  19. ^ Galatasaray (6 January 2016). "Kevin Grosskreutz" (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Mutual termination of contract with Kevin Großkreutz". VfB Stuttgart. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Kevin Grosskreutz leaves Stuttgart days after fight in city centre". The Guardian. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Struggling Darmstadt signs Kevin Grosskreutz for next season". sportsnet.ca. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Großkreutz-Debüt erfolgreich" [Großkreutz debut successful] (in German). sport1.de. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  24. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz kommt" (in German). 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  25. ^ "KFC Uerdingen kündigt Kevin Großkreutz fristlos" [KFC Uerdingen resigns Kevin Großkreutz without notice]. RP Online (in German). 2 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  26. ^ "Weltmeister und BVB-Fanliebling Kevin Großkreutz beendet Profi-Karriere". kicker (in German). 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Der TuS Bövinghausen hat Kevin Großkreutz verpflichtet" (in German). TuS Bövinghausen. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  28. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz verlängert beim TuS um weitere 2 Jahre....!!!" (in German). TuS Bövinghausen. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Cacau brace lifts Germany". Sky Sports. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Sweden 0–0 Germany: Five Debutants Feature In Lacklustre Draw". Goal.com. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Germany World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  32. ^ Arnhold, Matthias (15 September 2021). "Kevin Großkreutz - International Appearances". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  33. ^ Leipold, Richard (29 April 2011). "Kevin Großkreutz – Mit den Augen des Fans" (in German). Frankfurter Allgemeine. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Kevin Großkreutz " Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  35. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  36. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  37. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  38. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  39. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  40. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  42. ^ "Kevin Großkreutz". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  43. ^ a b "K. Großkreutz". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
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