Alexander Baumjohann

Alexander Baumjohann (born 23 January 1987) is a German footballer who most recently played for Sydney FC as an attacking midfielder. After developing as a star junior with Schalke 04, he moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach and enjoyed great success with the Bundesliga club, earning a move to Bayern Munich in 2009.

A return to Schalke 04 soon followed, where he developed a reputation as an excellent provider, a reputation he further enhanced during spells with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Hertha BSC. As of May 2018, he had amassed 46 career assists.

Baumjohann moved to Brazil so his wife, who is Brazilian, could be closer to her family. He signed a short-term contract with Coritiba in 2017 before moving to Vitória in 2018.

In 2009, he was twice selected for the Germany U21 team.

After joining the Western Sydney Wanderers in June 2018, he was hailed for his "magnificent" and "brilliant" performances by multiple observers, including manager Markus Babbel.

Career

Germany

Baumjohann began his youth career in 1991 with Teutonia Waltrop and in summer 2000, joined Schalke 04. After only two appearances in the first team, he was signed by Mönchengladbach in January 2007 on the promise of greater first team exposure. On 27 January 2007, he made his debut with Mönchengladbach against Energie Cottbus.

In July 2009, he moved to Bayern Munich on the recommendation of Jupp Heynckes, who had personally scouted the player. Six months before the move, Heynckes foreshadowed a deal, saying that "Talent makes Alex a 'Bayern player', even though he has yet to make the breakthrough in the Bundesliga." However, after six months with Bayern and sporadic Bundesliga game time, he rejoined FC Schalke.

On 21 August 2012, Baumjohann joined 2. Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern on a one-year contract. In Baumjohann's 27th game for the club, he netted his sixth goal, scoring with a free-kick in a playoff vs. Hoffenheim for a place in the Bundesliga.

On 8 June 2013, it was announced that Baumjohann would leave Kaiserslautern, who had lost to Hoffenheim in their Bundesliga play-off over two legs, for newly promoted Hertha BSC, signing a three-year contract with the capital club. On 18 March 2016, he extended his contract until 2017.

Brazil

After the 2016–17 season, Baumjohann considered playing in Brazil, the country of his wife. In July 2017, he signed with Coritiba. Having limited playing time at Coritiba due to a broken hand, Baumjohann left the club after its relegation, although he wanted to renew his contract. In 2018, he joined Vitória.

Australia

On 9 August 2018, Baumjohann was brought to the A-League by coach Markus Babbel, signing with Western Sydney Wanderers. At the end of the season, the Wanderers released Baumjohann, choosing not to renew his contract.

On 2 June 2019, Baumjohann signed a two-year deal with local rivals Sydney FC. Baumjohann enjoyed one of the best periods of his career, becoming a regular starter with the Sky Blues as they finished as Champions in the 2019–20 A-League season and runner-up in the 2020-21 A-League season.

Two days after setting the opening goal of the 2021 A-League Grand Final, Baumjohann announced that he would be departing the club.

Currently, he holds an executive role as the Head of Player Management for Sydney FC following his departure from professional football.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

Schalke 04
* DFL-Ligapokal: 2005
* DFB-Pokal: 2010–11
* DFL-Supercup: 2011

Sydney FC
* A-League Championship: 2019–20
* A-League Premiership: 2019–20

Personal life

Baumjohann grew up in Waltrop, and attended the Gesamtschule Berger Feld.

In addition to his native German, Baumjohann can also speak Portuguese.

Baumjohann has a wife and two daughters.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baumjohann, Alexander
1987 births
Living people
German men's footballers
Borussia Mönchengladbach II players
Borussia Mönchengladbach players
Men's association football midfielders
FC Schalke 04 players
FC Schalke 04 II players
FC Bayern Munich footballers
FC Bayern Munich II players
1. FC Kaiserslautern players
Hertha BSC players
Coritiba Foot Ball Club players
Esporte Clube Vitória players
Western Sydney Wanderers FC players
Sydney FC players
Bundesliga players
2. Bundesliga players
3. Liga players
Regionalliga players
Oberliga (football) players
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players
A-League Men players
Germany men's youth international footballers
Germany men's under-21 international footballers
German expatriate men's footballers
German expatriate sportspeople in Brazil
Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil
Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia
People educated at the Gesamtschule Berger Feld
21st-century German sportsmen