Maximilian Andreas Ehmer (born 3 February 1992) is a German professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Gillingham.

Max Ehmer
Ehmer in 2023
Personal information
Full name Maximilian Andreas Ehmer[1]
Date of birth (1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Frankfurt, Germany
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Gillingham
Number 5
Youth career
2003–2009 Queens Park Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2015 Queens Park Rangers 1 (0)
2011Yeovil Town (loan) 27 (0)
2011–2012Yeovil Town (loan) 24 (0)
2012Preston North End (loan) 9 (0)
2013Stevenage (loan) 6 (1)
2013–2014Carlisle United (loan) 9 (0)
2014–2015Gillingham (loan) 27 (1)
2015–2020 Gillingham 192 (11)
2020–2021 Bristol Rovers 28 (1)
2021– Gillingham 131 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:29, 22 August 2024 (UTC)

A product of Queens Park Rangers' youth academy, Ehmer signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 in 2009. Two years later, in January 2011, he joined League One team Yeovil Town on loan on a deal that would ultimately run for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. He returned to Yeovil on a six-month loan deal for the following season, and ended the campaign on loan at another League One club in the form of Preston North End. In August 2012, Ehmer signed a new three-year deal at QPR. In March 2013, he was loaned out, this time joining Stevenage on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season.

On 28 September 2013, Ehmer made his QPR debut after four years at the club, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for the injured Clint Hill, in a 2–0 league win against Middlesbrough at Loftus Road.

Career

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Queens Park Rangers

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Ehmer joined Queens Park Rangers at the age of eleven and progressed through the youth ranks, captaining his age group at various stages.[3] He had previously played for Ascot United at the age of eight, as well as competing at varsity level during his time at ACS Egham School.[4] During his time playing for the Warfield Predator youth side, aged eleven, he attracted the interest of QPR, who took him into their academy set-up in 2003.[4][5] He signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2009, aged 17.[4] Ehmer made his league debut for QPR coming on as a substitute for Rangers captain Clint Hill in the 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 28 September 2013.

Loan spells

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Ehmer experienced his first taste of first-team football when he signed for League One side Yeovil Town on a month-long loan on 31 December 2010, with the deal to be officially completed the next day.[6] He made his debut against Plymouth Argyle on 1 January 2011, playing the whole match in a 0–0 draw at Home Park.[7] After impressing in the first two weeks of the loan spell, with Yeovil having secured two victories and one draw without conceding a goal,[8] it was announced that Ehmer would remain at the club for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.[9] He went on to make 27 appearances during the second half of the campaign,[8] with a good end of season run ensuring Yeovil finished in a comfortable mid-table position.[10] The final game of his loan spell was a 2–0 away victory at Carlisle United on 7 May 2011, in which Ehmer was used a half-time substitute.[11]

He returned to QPR following the end of his loan agreement, and subsequently signed a new one-year contract extension with the club in June 2011, keeping him contracted to the club until 2013.[12] QPR manager Neil Warnock stated – "Max has made great progress over the last few months. He had a very productive spell at Yeovil and the feedback we received was very promising. The experience he gained there will stand him in good stead to really push on over the next 12 months or so".[12] Shortly before the start of the 2011–12 campaign, on 21 July 2011, Ehmer returned to Yeovil on loan, this time on a six-month deal.[13] He played in the club's first game of the new season, playing the first 56 minutes in a 2–0 away loss to Brentford.[14] Ehmer scored his first professional goal in a Football League Trophy tie against Bournemouth on 5 October 2011, netting a late consolation strike from close range in a match Yeovil lost 3–2 at Dean Court.[15] In December the same year, his loan deal was extended until the end of the season.[16] However, having made 28 appearances in all competitions during his second loan spell,[17] Ehmer returned to QPR on 19 January 2012, with his loan deal being terminated by mutual consent following a change in management at both Yeovil and his parent club.[18]

After a brief spell back at QPR, without making any first-team appearances, Ehmer was loaned out, this time joining League One side Preston North End on 16 March 2012, on loan until 5 May.[19] He made his debut in the Preston's 2–1 away victory at Exeter City a day after joining the club, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute.[20] Ehmer went on to make nine appearances during his time at the club,[17] before returning to QPR at the end of the 2011–12 season.[21] In August 2012, Ehmer signed a new three-year contract at QPR, keeping him at the club until 2016.[3][22] In March 2013, Ehmer joined League One side Stevenage on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.[23] He made his debut for the club a day after signing, on 29 March, playing the whole in a 1–1 draw away to Crawley Town.[24] In the club's next match just three days later, Ehmer scored the only goal of the game as Stevenage secured a 1–0 home win over Hartlepool United.[25] Playing at left back, he scored with a first-time finish after Filipe Morais' initial shot had been blocked, scoring with just fifteen minutes remaining.[25] Ehmer made six appearances during the brief loan spell, scoring once, as he returned to his parent club following Stevenage's final game of the season.[26][27]

On 4 November 2013, Ehmer joined League One side Carlisle United on loan for a month up to and including 1 December 2013.[28] On 3 December 2013, two days after his original loan expired it was announced that Carlisle had extended Ehmer's loan at the club until 2 January 2014.[29] In November of the same year he was loaned out, this time to League One side Gillingham.[30]

Gillingham

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On 2 July 2015, Ehmer joined League One side Gillingham on a three-year deal.[31]

In January 2017 he was named as Gillingham's captain, with the recently appointed head coach Adrian Pennock commenting that "I like his attitude and I like the centre-half to be the captain".[32] He would later lose the captaincy to Gabriel Zakuani but regained it when he suffered an injury and was named captain permanently when Steve Evans became Gillingham manager before the 2019–20 season.[33]

In March 2018 he agreed a contract extension until the end of the 2019–20 season.[34]

Ehmer made his 200th appearance for the club in a 1–0 victory over Oxford United on 9 March 2019.[35]

Bristol Rovers

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On 21 July 2020, Ehmer signed a two-year contract with Bristol Rovers following the expiration of his Gillingham contract.[36] Ehmer was announced as Rovers captain on 4 September 2020[37] and made his debut the following day in a 3–0 EFL Cup defeat to Ipswich Town.[38] He scored his first goal of the season in the FA Cup third round 3–2 defeat to Premier League side Sheffield United.[39]

When Rovers' third manager of the season Joey Barton came in, Ehmer was stripped of his captaincy which was given to Luke Leahy. On 22 March 2021, Ehmer was publicly slated by his manager who claimed that Ehmer was the wrong choice for captain and would have a lot of work to do to force his way back into the side.[40] Following this, Barton announced that Ehmer would have to have surgery on his shoulder injury that would see him miss the remainder of the season.[41] On 15 June 2021, Ehmer's contract with the club was terminated.[42]

Gillingham return

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Having had his contract in Bristol terminated, Ehmer returned to Gillingham that same day on a two-year contract.[43][44]

On 14 May 2023, Gillingham confirmed that Ehmer had signed a new contract with the Kent side, but did not disclose the length of the deal.[44] On 27 April 2024, Ehmer made his 400th appearance for the club in a 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers.[45]

Personal life

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Ehmer was born in Frankfurt.[46]

Career statistics

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As of match played 17 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Queens Park Rangers 2009–10[47] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010–11[8] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[17] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[26] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[48] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2010–11[8] League One 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
2011–12[17] League One 24 0 3 0 0 0 1[a] 1 28 1
Total 51 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 55 1
Preston North End (loan) 2011–12[17] League One 9 0 9 0
Stevenage (loan) 2012–13[26] League One 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
Carlisle United (loan) 2013–14[48] League One 12 1 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 14 1
Gillingham (loan) 2014–15[49] League One 27 1 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 29 1
Gillingham 2015–16[50] League One 30 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 1 33 1
2016–17[51] League One 45 7 2 0 3 0 2[b] 0 52 7
2017–18[52] League One 42 2 3 0 1 0 4[b] 1 50 3
2018–19[53] League One 40 1 4 1 1 0 1[b] 0 46 2
2019–20[54] League One 35 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 40 1
Total 192 11 14 1 7 0 8 2 221 14
Bristol Rovers 2020–21[55] League One 28 1 3 1 1 0 1[b] 0 33 2
Gillingham 2021–22[56] League One 45 0 2 0 2 0 2[b] 0 51 0
2022–23[57] League Two 45 1 5 1 3 0 1[b] 0 54 2
2023–24[58] League Two 39 0 2 0 2 0 2[b] 0 45 0
2024–25[59] League Two 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 131 1 9 1 8 0 5 0 153 2
Career total 457 16 30 3 16 0 18 4 521 23
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 14. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Max Ehmer – ESPN". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b "QPR defender Max Ehmer signs four-year contract extension". Goal. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "QPR's 17 Year old Max Ehmer Profiled". Surrey Herald. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  5. ^ "ACS gives students a sporting chance". ACS. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Yeovil sign Paul Wotton, Max Ehmer and Richard Martin". BBC Sport. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Plymouth 0–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Norwich City striker Oli Johnson joins Yeovil on loan". BBC Sport. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  10. ^ "English League One 2010–2011 : Table". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  11. ^ "Carlisle 0–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Warnock lets eight leave QPR but extends Max Ehmer deal". BBC Sport. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Yeovil Town and QPR agree Max Ehmer loan move". BBC Sport. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Brentford 2–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Bournemouth 3–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Yeovil Town keep QPR defender Max Ehmer on loan". BBC Sport. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Yeovil sign Chelsea's Sam Walker as Gilmartin and Ehmer leave". BBC Sport. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Preston bring in Queens Park Rangers defender Max Ehmer". BBC Sport. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  20. ^ "Exeter 1–2 Preston". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Graham Westley wields the axe at Preston North End". BBC Sport. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  22. ^ "QPR duo agree new deals". Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  23. ^ "Ehmer in on loan". Stevenage F.C. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Crawley 1–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Stevenage 1–0 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  26. ^ a b c "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  27. ^ "Loan players return to parent clubs". Stevenage F.C. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  28. ^ "Defender joins for a month". carlisleunited.co.uk. 4 November 2013.
  29. ^ "LOAN: Defender stay extended". Carlisle United Official Website. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  30. ^ "Max Ehmer: Gillingham sign QPR defender on loan". BBC Sport. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  31. ^ "Max Ehmer: Gillingham sign QPR centre-back". BBC Sport. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock plays down decision to change skipper as Max Ehmer replaces Josh Wright". Kent Online. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  33. ^ "Gillingham name Max Ehmer as the new captain under manager Steve Evans". Kent Online. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  34. ^ "Gillingham defender Max Ehmer signs new two-year deal with the club". Kent Online. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Gillingham boss Steve Lovell salutes defender Max Ehmer's character on his 200th appearance for the club". Kent Online. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  36. ^ "Max Ehmer Completes Move to the Gas!". bristolrovers.co.uk. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Max Ehmer Named as Rovers Captain!". bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  38. ^ "Ipswich Town 3-0 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Bristol Rovers 2–3 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Joey Barton believes Max Ehmer was the wrong choice to be Bristol Rovers captain". bristolpost.co.uk. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  41. ^ "Bristol Rovers: Max Ehmer and Sam Nicholson's seasons over due to surgery". BBC Sport. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Max Ehmer Departs the Club". bristolrovers.co.uk. 15 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Max Ehmer is coming home!". gillinghamfootballclub.com. 15 June 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Max Ehmer signs new contract". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Ehmer I am desperate for success at this club". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 29 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Max Ehmer – Soccerbase". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  47. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  49. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  50. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  51. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  52. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  53. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  55. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  56. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  58. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  59. ^ "Games played by Max Ehmer in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
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