:Kevin Großkreutz
{{short description|German footballer (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kevin Großkreutz
| image = Kevin grosskreutz.jpg
| caption = Großkreutz with VfB Stuttgart in 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|7|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dortmund, West Germany
| height = 1.86 m
| position = Right-back, Winger
| currentclub = SV Wacker Obercastrop
| clubnumber = 19
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995
| youthclubs1 = DJK Rot-Weiß Obereving
| youthyears2 = 1995–1999
| youthclubs2 = VfL Kemminghausen
| youthyears3 = 1999–2002
| youthclubs3 = FC Merkur 07 Dortmund
| youthyears4 = 2002–2003
| youthclubs4 = Borussia Dortmund
| youthyears5 = 2003–2006
| youthclubs5 = Rot Weiss Ahlen
| years1 = 2006–2007
| clubs1 = Rot Weiss Ahlen II
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2006–2009
| clubs2 = Rot Weiss Ahlen
| caps2 = 94
| goals2 = 24
| years3 = 2009–2015
| clubs3 = Borussia Dortmund
| caps3 = 176
| goals3 = 23
| years4 = 2015
| clubs4 = Borussia Dortmund II
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016
| clubs5 = Galatasaray
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2016–2017
| clubs6 = VfB Stuttgart
| caps6 = 26
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2017–2018
| clubs7 = Darmstadt 98
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2018–2020
| clubs8 = KFC Uerdingen
| caps8 = 45
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2021–2023
| clubs9 = TuS Bövinghausen
| caps9 = 52
| goals9 = 9
| years10 = 2023–
| clubs10 = SV Wacker Obercastrop
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2010
| nationalteam1 = Germany U21
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2010–2014
| nationalteam2 = Germany
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|GER}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|FIFA World Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2014 Brazil|}}
| club-update = 17 February 2023
}}
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.
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
=Early career=
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,{{cite web|url=http://skladyfutbol.pl/infopage.php?id=1486|publisher = Skladyfutbol.pl|title=RW Ahlen 2006–07|date=10 February 2020|access-date=10 February 2020}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.wuppertalersv.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=463543 | title = ? | date = 5 June 2008 | access-date = 27 May 2011 | publisher = wuppertalersv.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2012}} 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.{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/grosskreutzdata.html | title = Kevin Großkreutz - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 15 September 2021 | accessdate = 16 September 2021 | publisher = RSSSF.com}}
=Borussia Dortmund=
File:Championship celebration Borussia Dortmund 2011.jpg, Marcel Schmelzer, Mats Hummels and Kevin Großkreutz) celebrate winning the Bundesliga in 2011.]]
File:Kevin Großkreutz IMG 1623.jpg in 2014]]
He opened his account with Dortmund on 5 December 2009 in a 4–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.{{cite web | url = http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/champions-league/und-zur-not-geht-kevin-grosskreutz-ins-tor-aid-1.3685730 | title = Und zur Not geht Kevin Großkreutz ins Tor | language = de | publisher = RP Online | date = 18 September 2013 | access-date = 15 February 2014}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=272944&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120715223048/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=272944&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 July 2012 | title = Borussia Dortmund 4–0 Nurnberg | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 5 December 2009 | access-date = 6 January 2012 }}
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.{{cite web| url = https://www.kicker.de/dortmund-gegen-klautern-2010-bundesliga-1013276/analyse | title = Sahin berauscht den BVB | publisher = Kicker | date = 22 September 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012 | language = de}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=296966&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120713231409/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=296966&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 July 2012 | title = Grosskreutz at the double | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 25 September 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012}}{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/47255/st-pauli-vs-borussia-dortmund/lineup-stats | title = St. Pauli 1 vs 3 Borussia Dortmund |publisher=Goal.com | date = 25 September 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012}} On 29 November 2010, Großkreutz signed a four-year contract extension to stay with Dortmund until July 2014.{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/15/germany/2010/11/29/2236933/borussia-dortmund-midfielder-kevin-grosskreutz-signs | title = Borussia Dortmund Midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz Signs Contract Extension Until 2014 | publisher = Goal.com | date = 29 November 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/01/15/leverkusen-1-3-dortmund-tactics/ | title = Leverkusen 1–3 Dortmund: Dortmund pounce on defensive errors | date = 15 January 2011 | publisher = zonalmarking.net | access-date = 6 January 2012 | archive-date = 22 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222213540/http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/01/15/leverkusen-1-3-dortmund-tactics/ | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=297061&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714023923/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=297061&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 July 2012 | title = Bayer Leverkusen 1–3 Borussia Dortmund | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 14 January 2011 | access-date = 6 January 2012 }} Großkreutz had a phenomenal second season with Dortmund, netting eight goals and managing seven assists as die Borussen lifted the Bundesliga title.{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/981798/dortmund%27s-kevin-grosskreutz%3A-arsenal-my-favourite?cc=5901 | title = Grosskreutz: Arsenal my favourite | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 8 November 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012 | archive-date = 12 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111112005422/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/981798/dortmund%27s-kevin-grosskreutz%3A-arsenal-my-favourite?cc=5901 | url-status = dead }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2013/0000262446.php |title=Dortmund prevail over Bayern in Supercup thriller |work=Bundesliga |publisher=bundesliga.com |date=27 July 2013 |access-date=20 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106163106/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2013/0000262446.php |archive-date= 6 November 2013 }}
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.{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25342002|title= Marseille 1 Dortmund 2|date=11 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 December 2013}}
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|date=January 2020}}
=Galatasaray=
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.{{cite web | url = http://galatasaray.org/haber/galatasaray-haberleri/aciklama/28711 | title = Açıklama | language = tr | website = Galatasaray | date = 2 September 2015 | access-date = 3 September 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.kap.gov.tr/en/search/notice-results.aspx?id=465018|title= Kevin Grosskreutz -transfer|date=1 September 2015|access-date=6 November 2015|author=Galatasaray |publisher=Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP)|language=tr}}
=VfB Stuttgart=
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.vfb.de/en/vfb/latest/newsarchive/2016/328961-kevin-grosskreutz-transfer-completed/|title=Kevin Großkreutz transfer completed|work=vfb.de|publisher=VfB Stuttgart|date=6 January 2016|access-date=6 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://kap.gov.tr/en/search/notice-results.aspx?id=494806|title=Kevin Grosskreutz|date=6 January 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|publisher= Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP)|author=Galatasaray|language=tr}}
On 3 March 2017, the contract of Großkreutz was mutually terminated hours after he got into a bar fight.{{cite web |url=http://www.vfb.de/en/vfb/latest/news/professionals/2017/einvernehmliche-vertragsaufloesung-mit-kevin-grosskreutz-/ |title=Mutual termination of contract with Kevin Großkreutz |publisher=VfB Stuttgart |date=3 March 2017 |access-date=3 March 2017}} 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."{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/03/kevin-grosskreutz-leaves-stuttgart-fight-hospital | title = Kevin Grosskreutz leaves Stuttgart days after fight in city centre | website = The Guardian | date = 3 March 2017 | access-date = 4 March 2017 }}
=Darmstadt 98=
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/struggling-darmstadt-signs-kevin-grosskreutz-next-season/ |title=Struggling Darmstadt signs Kevin Grosskreutz for next season |publisher=sportsnet.ca |date=11 April 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}} He gave his pre-season debut in a warm-up fixture against SG Modau on 23 June 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/fussball/2-bundesliga/2017/06/darmstadt-98-feiert-kantersieg-mit-kevin-grosskreutz |title=Großkreutz-Debüt erfolgreich |trans-title=Großkreutz debut successful |language=de |publisher=sport1.de |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}}
=KFC Uerdingen=
On 5 July 2018, Großkreutz joined KFC Uerdingen 05.{{cite web | url = https://kfc-uerdingen.de/artikel/2018-07-05-kevin-grosskreutz-kommt/ | title = Kevin Großkreutz kommt | language = de | date = 5 July 2018 | access-date = 5 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180230/https://kfc-uerdingen.de/artikel/2018-07-05-kevin-grosskreutz-kommt/ | archive-date = 5 July 2018 | url-status = dead }} His contract was terminated by the club in October 2020.{{cite web | url = https://rp-online.de/sport/fussball/kfc-uerdingen/kevin-grosskreutz-fristlose-kuendigung-bei-verein-kfc-uerdingen_aid-53698025 | title = KFC Uerdingen kündigt Kevin Großkreutz fristlos | trans-title = KFC Uerdingen resigns Kevin Großkreutz without notice | language = de | website = RP Online | date = 2 October 2020 | access-date = 9 October 2020}}
On 24 January 2021, Großkreutz announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite web |title=Weltmeister und BVB-Fanliebling Kevin Großkreutz beendet Profi-Karriere |url=https://www.kicker.de/weltmeister-und-bvb-fanliebling-grosskreutz-beendet-seine-profi-karriere-795513/artikel |website=kicker |access-date=25 January 2021 |language=German |date=24 January 2021}}
=TuS Bövinghausen=
On 26 January 2021, Großkreutz joined TuS Bövinghausen in the sixth-tier Westfalenliga.{{cite web|publisher=TuS Bövinghausen|url=https://www.facebook.com/tusboevinghausen04/posts/pfbid0J68k9rdfYrorzeVTUA1wGDAa9d3mRmGd1ndy2Dme4PXyKYnv8TFjd29wsV919nnDl|title=Der TuS Bövinghausen hat Kevin Großkreutz verpflichtet|date=26 January 2021|access-date=19 November 2022|language=de}} 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.{{cite web|publisher=TuS Bövinghausen|url=https://www.facebook.com/tusboevinghausen04/posts/pfbid0aUop2qxhAgkFfdk1kW9bAKPX9kzXkJQr9tZheNfcEKvmv9E2GSkaQrsrVzzY4G8gl|title=Kevin Großkreutz verlängert beim TuS um weitere 2 Jahre....!!!|date=27 August 2022|access-date=19 November 2022|language=de}}
International career
Großkreutz made his full international debut in a friendly match against Malta on 13 May 2010,{{cite web| url = http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3252543,00.html | title = Cacau brace lifts Germany | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 13 May 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/54151/sweden-vs-germany/report | title = Sweden 0–0 Germany: Five Debutants Feature In Lacklustre Draw | publisher = Goal.com | date = 18 November 2010 | access-date = 6 January 2012}}
In June 2014, he was named in Germany's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/germany/10810439/Germany-World-Cup-2014-squad.html|title=Germany World Cup 2014 squad|date=2 June 2014|access-date=22 June 2014|work=The Telegraph}} 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.{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/grosskreutz-intl.html | title = Kevin Großkreutz - International Appearances | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 15 September 2021 | accessdate = 16 September 2021 | publisher = RSSSF.com}}
Personal life
Großkreutz is a lifelong Borussia Dortmund supporter, growing up and living in the Dortmund area until his move away from the club.{{cite web | url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/borussia-dortmund-kevin-grosskreutz-mit-den-augen-des-fans-1621861.html | title = Kevin Großkreutz – Mit den Augen des Fans | language = de | publisher = Frankfurter Allgemeine | date = 29 April 2011 | access-date = 28 July 2014 | first = Richard | last = Leipold}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web |title=Kevin Großkreutz |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/38219/Kevin_Grosskreutz.html |website=National Football Teams |access-date=25 January 2021}} | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5" |Germany
|2010 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012
|0 |0 | |||
| 2013
|0 |0 | |||
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||6||0 |
Honours
File:Kevin Großkreutz 2014 FIFA World Cup (cropped).jpg]]
Borussia Dortmund{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/kevin-grosskreutz/55773/ | title = K. Großkreutz
| publisher = Soccerway | access-date = 28 July 2014}}
- Bundesliga: 2010–11, 2011–12
- DFB-Pokal: 2011–12
- DFL-Supercup: 2013, 2014
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2012–13
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}} {{in lang|de}}
- {{Worldfootball.net|kevin-grosskreutz}}
- {{kicker|kevin-grosskreutz}}
- {{fussballdaten}}
- {{NFT|38219}}
{{Germany squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{2013–14 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grosskreutz, Kevin}}
Category:Footballers from Dortmund
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Rot Weiss Ahlen players
Category:Borussia Dortmund players
Category:Galatasaray S.K. footballers
Category:VfB Stuttgart players
Category:SV Darmstadt 98 players
Category:KFC Uerdingen 05 players
Category:Oberliga (football) players
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Germany men's international footballers
Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players
Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players
Category:German expatriate men's footballers
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Turkey