András Schäfer

{{Short description|Hungarian footballer (born 1999)}}

{{eastern name order|Schäfer András}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = András Schäfer

| image = Schäfer 2022.jpg

| caption = Schäfer with Hungary in 2022.

| full_name = András Schäfer{{cite web |url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0276-155e7b96eee3-5341dbb425ba-1000/unl_bookinglist_before_md4.pdf |title=UEFA Nations League 2023 Booking List before League phase Matchday 4 |page=3 |publisher=UEFA |date=12 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615050033/https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0276-155e7b96eee3-5341dbb425ba-1000/unl_bookinglist_before_md4.pdf |url-status=dead }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|4|13|df=y}}

| birth_place = Szombathely, Hungary

| height = 1.78 m{{cite web |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/de/fussball/profis/kader/detail/Andras-Schaefer-20447u/2022-23-67e/ |title=András Schäfer |publisher=1. FC Union Berlin |access-date=4 August 2022}}

| currentclub = Union Berlin

| clubnumber = 13

| position = Centre midfielder

| youthyears1 = 2008–2010

| youthclubs1 = Grundball PFC

| youthyears2 = 2010–2014

| youthclubs2 = Haladás Szombathely

| youthyears3 = 2014–2016

| youthclubs3 = MTK Budapest

| years1 = 2016–2019

| clubs1 = MTK Budapest

| caps1 = 44

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2019–2020

| clubs2 = Genoa

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2019–2020

| clubs3 = → Chievo Verona (loan)

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2020

| clubs4 = → Dunajská Streda (loan)

| caps4 = 8

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2020–2022

| clubs5 = Dunajská Streda

| caps5 = 44

| goals5 = 3

| years6 = 2022–

| clubs6 = Union Berlin

| caps6 = 65

| goals6 = 3

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 = Hungary U18

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018

| nationalteam2 = Hungary U19

| nationalcaps2 = 6

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2020–

| nationalteam3 = Hungary

| nationalcaps3 = 35

| nationalgoals3 = 4

| club-update = 12 April 2025

| nationalteam-update = 20 March 2025

}}

András Schäfer (born 13 April 1999) is a Hungarian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Bundesliga club Union Berlin and the Hungary national team.

Club career

=MTK Budapest=

Schäfer made his Hungarian League debut for MTK, appearing as a substitute away against Gyirmót FC Győr on 1 April 2017.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2017/04/01/hungary/nb-i/gyirmot-se/mtk-hungaria-fc/2277466/|title=Gyirmót vs. MTK - 1 April 2017 - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com}}

=Genoa and Dunajská Streda=

In January 2019, Schäfer signed for Serie A club Genoa on a three-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of around €1 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/legiosok/2019/01/genoa-harom-es-fel-eves-szerzodest-kotott-a-klub-schferrel|title=Genoa: három és fél éves szerződést kötött a klub Schäferrel|date=28 January 2019|website=Nemzeti Sport|access-date=15 June 2024}} Having failed to appear for Genoa's first team since signing for them, he joined Serie B side Chievo Verona on loan in August 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.veronasera.it/sport/chievo-scambio-spal-Schafer-22-agosto-2019.html|title=Chievo, preso Andras Schafer. In vista anche uno scambio con la Spal|website=VeronaSera|access-date=15 June 2024}} He was recalled by Genoa in January 2020 after failing to play for Chievo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pianetagenoa1893.net/primo-piano/ufficiale-schafer-prestato-agli-slovacchi-dellfk-dac/|title=Ufficiale: Schäfer prestato agli slovacchi dell'FK DAC|date=17 January 2020|access-date=15 June 2024}}

On 17 January 2020, he joined Dunajská Streda, playing in the Fortuna Liga on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season, with an option to purchase.{{cite press release|publisher=Dunajská Streda|url=https://www.dac1904.sk/sk/clanek.asp?id=Prva-zimna-posila-Andras-Schafer-4893|title=PRVÁ ZIMNÁ POSILA: ANDRÁS SCHÄFER|date=17 January 2020|language=Slovak|access-date=15 June 2024}} On 9 September 2020, it was announced that he had signed for the club permanently on a four-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/legiosok/2020/09/legiosok-schfer-andras-vegleg-a-dac-jatakosa-lett|title=Légiósok: Schäfer András végleg a DAC játákosa lett|first=Duducz|last=Tibor|date=9 September 2020|website=Nemzeti Sport|access-date=15 June 2024}}

=Union Berlin=

== 2021–22 season ==

On 21 January 2022, Schäfer joined Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.{{cite web|url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/Andras-Schaefer-signs-for-1-FC-Union-Berlin-876O/|title=Andras Schäfer signs for 1. FC Union Berlin|date=21 January 2022|website=fc-union-berlin.de}} On 7 May 2022, Schäfer scored his first goal in the Bundesliga on the 33rd game week of the 2021–22 Bundesliga season in a 4–1 away victory against SC Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg im Breisgau.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/07/germany/bundesliga/sc-freiburg/1-fc-union-berlin/3524956/|title=2021–22 Bundesliga: Freiburg 1–4 Union Berlin|date=7 May 2022|website=soccerway.com}} In the 2021–22 Bundesliga season he earned 8 caps and scored 1 goal.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/andras-schafer/479546/|title=Hungary - András Schafer|date=15 May 2022|website=soccerway.com}}

== 2022–23 season ==

In the 2022–23 Bundesliga season he made 16 appearances. On 13 May 2023, he got injured in a 4-2 victory over SC Freiburg.{{Cite web |title=Union Berlin vs. Freiburg - 13 May 2023 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/13/germany/bundesliga/1-fc-union-berlin/sc-freiburg/3802113/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230921232406/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/13/germany/bundesliga/1-fc-union-berlin/sc-freiburg/3802113/ |archive-date=2023-09-21 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=int.soccerway.com |language=en}} After the match against SC Freiburg, he suffered an injury.{{Cite web |title=Union muss auf András Schäfer verzichten |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/de/union-live/news/profis/Union-muss-auf-Andras-Schaefer-verzichten-20824W/#content-image |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |last=nemzetisport.hu |date=2023-05-17 |title=Légiósok: Schäfer András ismét megsérült, ebben az idényben már nem |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/legiosok/legiosok-schfer-andras-ismet-megserult-ebben-az-idenyben-mar-nem-lep-palyara-2957345 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=NSO.hu |language=hu}} On 19 May 2023, the diagnosis was revealed that he had broken his leg.{{Cite web |last=nemzetisport.hu |date=2023-05-19 |title=Légiósok: megvan a diagnózis, Schäfer súlyos sérülést szenvedett – |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet_labdarugas/legiosok-megvan-a-diagnozis-schfer-sulyos-serulest-szenvedett-sajtohir-2957673 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=NSO.hu |language=hu}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Nach Comeback wieder verletzt: Schäfer ist Unions größter Pechvogel |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/union-berlin/nach-comeback-wieder-verletzt-schaefer-ist-unions-groesster-pechvogel-83978192.bild.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=bild.de |language=de}} On 2 June 2023, his foot was successfully operated on in Budapest.{{Cite web |title=Andras Schäfer Successfully Operated On |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/Andras-Schaefer-Successfully-Operated-On-1327D/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=en}} He also mentioned that he was going through the hardest time in his career due to this injury.

== 2023–24 season ==

He returned from injury as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against FC Augsburg on 25 November 2023.{{Cite web |last=nemzetisport.hu |date=2023 |title=Bundesliga: Schäfer visszatért, megszakadt az Union vereségsorozata |url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet_labdarugas/bundesliga-schfer-visszatert-megszakadt-az-union-veresegsorozata-2990713 |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=www.nemzetisport.hu |language=hu}}{{Cite web |title=A Hugely Deserved Draw |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/A-Hugely-Deserved-Draw-1473j/ |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=en}} He started against 1. FC Köln in a 2–0 home victory on 20 December 2023.{{Cite web |last=nemzetisport.hu |date=2023 |title=Légiósok: Schäfer büszke rá, hogy újra kiharcolta a lehetőséget - N |url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/legiosok/legiosok-schfer-buszke-ra-hogy-ujra-kiharcolta-a-lehetoseget-2995059 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.nemzetisport.hu |language=hu}} He was substituted only in the 85th minute.{{Cite web |title=Union Berlin vs. FC Cologne - 20 December 2023 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/20/germany/bundesliga/1-fc-union-berlin/1-fc-koln/4105354/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=int.soccerway.com}} On 24 February 2024, he scored the second goal in a 2–2 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim on the 23rd game week of the 2023–24 Bundesliga season.{{Cite web |title=Beste macht's im zweiten Anlauf besser: Heidenheim punktet bei Union |url=https://www.kicker.de/union-gegen-heidenheim-2024-bundesliga-4862166/analyse |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Bundesliga: Schäfer góljával fordított, de végül csak ikszelt az Union Berlin; a Gladbach ötöt gurított a Bochumnak |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet-labdarugas/2024/02/bundesliga-schafer-goljaval-forditott-de-vegul-csak-ikszelt-az-union-berlin-a-gladbach-negyet-guritott-a-bochumnak |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{Cite web |title=Union Berlin vs. Heidenheim - 24 February 2024 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/24/germany/bundesliga/1-fc-union-berlin/1-fc-heidenheim-1846/4105418/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=int.soccerway.com}}{{Cite web |title=Union and Heidenheim's Thrilling Draw |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/Union-and-Heidenheim-s-Thrilling-Draw-1530S/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=en}} He was also selected into the best team of the 23rd game week of the Bundesliga, according to WhoScored.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=Bundesliga: Schäfer bekerült a forduló álomtizenegyébe a WhoScorednál |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet-labdarugas/2024/02/bundesliga-schafer-bekerult-a-fordulo-alomtizenegyebe-a-whoscorednal |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}} On 8 March 2024, he was sent off in a match against VfB Stuttgart.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=Schäfer Andrást kiállították, az Union Berlin kikapott Stuttgartban |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet-labdarugas/2024/03/schafer-andrast-kiallitottak-az-union-berlin-kikapott-stuttgartban |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{Cite web |title=Führichs Schlenzer ins Glück: Stuttgart auch für Union zu gut |url=https://www.kicker.de/stuttgart-gegen-union-2024-bundesliga-4862190/analyse |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} On 5 May 2024, he gave an assist to Chris Bedia in a 3–4 defeat against VfL Bochum.{{Cite web |title=Union Berlin vs Bochum Live Scores {{!}} LiveScore |url=https://www.livescore.com/en/football/germany/bundesliga/union-berlin-vs-bochum/989371/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=www.livescore.com |language=en}} In an interview with Union Berlin, he said that he and the whole team were relieved after avoiding relegation on the last matchday of the 2023–24 Bundesliga season.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=Bundesliga: 150 kilós kő esett le Schäfer András szívéről a bennmaradás után – videó |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet-labdarugas/2024/05/bundesliga-150-kilos-ko-esett-le-schafer-andras-sziverol-a-bennmaradas-utan-video |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}{{Cite web |title=Union Beat Freiburg to Stay in the Bundesliga |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/Union-Beat-Freiburg-to-Stay-in-the-Bundesliga-1573X/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=en}} In the 2023-24 Bundesliga season he earned 20 caps and scored one goal.

== 2024–25 season ==

On 21 December 2024, he scored his first goal in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season in a 4-1 defeat against SV Werder Bremen.{{Cite web |title=Werders Siegesserie hält an, Unions Negativlauf auch: Bremen feiert Doppelpacker Grüll |url=https://www.kicker.de/bremen-gegen-union-2024-bundesliga-4936916/analyse |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}

International career

Schäfer made his debut with the Hungary national team in a 1–0 UEFA Nations League win over Turkey on 3 September 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2020/09/03/europe/uefa-nations-league/turkey/hungary/3243424/|title=Turkey vs. Hungary - 3 September 2020 - Soccerway|website=uk.soccerway.com}}

On 1 June 2021, he was included in the final 26-man squad to represent Hungary at the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-a-puskas-akademia-ket-jatekosa-es-szoboszlai-dominik-maradt-ki-az-eb-keretbol-2829717|title=Válogatott: a Puskás Akadémia két játékosa és Szoboszlai Dominik maradt ki az Eb-keretből|language=hu|date=1 June 2021}} On 4 June 2021, in a warm-up match for the tournament, he scored his first international goal to give the Magyars a 1–0 win over Cyprus.{{cite web|url=https://www.origo.hu/sport/focieb/20210604-magyarorszag-ciprus-felkeszulesi-merkozes-osszefoglalo.html|title=Újra nézők előtt: megint nyert, már tíz meccse veretlen a válogatott|language=hu|date=4 June 2021}} He started all three of Hungary's Group F matches, scoring the team's second goal against Germany in a 2–2 draw.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2024475--germany-vs-hungary/lineups/|title=Germany vs Hungary: Line-ups|access-date=27 June 2024|website=UEFA}}

On 14 May 2024, Schäfer was named in Hungary's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/szoboszlai-gets-shot-euro-glory-with-hungary-rossi-names-squad-2024-05-14/|title=Szoboszlai gets shot at Euro glory with Hungary as Rossi names squad|date=14 May 2024|access-date=7 June 2024|website=Reuters}} He played all three matches as Hungary finished third in Group A.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/teams/players/250115077--andras-schafer/|title=András Schäfer - Player Profile|access-date=28 June 2024|website=UEFA}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{Updated|match played 12 April 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Magyar Kupa, Slovak Cup, DFB-Pokal}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Total

Division

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

rowspan="2"|MTK Budapest II

|2016–17

|Nemzeti Bajnokság III

|7

100colspan="2"|–71
colspan="2"|Total

!7

1000071
rowspan="4"|MTK Budapest

|2016–17

|Nemzeti Bajnokság I

|2

000colspan="2"|–20
2017–18

|Nemzeti Bajnokság II

|28

462colspan="2"|–346
2018–19

|Nemzeti Bajnokság I

|14

110colspan="2"|–151
colspan="2"|Total

!44

57200517
Genoa

|2018–19

|Serie A

|0

000colspan="2"|–00
Chievo (loan)

|2019–20

|Serie A

|0

000colspan="2"|–00
Dunajská Streda (loan)

|2019–20

|Slovak Super Liga

|8

031colspan="2"|–111
rowspan="3"|Dunajská Streda

|2020–21

|Slovak Super Liga

|27

01030310
2021–22

|Slovak Super Liga

|17

31020203
colspan="2"|Total

!52

35150624
rowspan="5"|Union Berlin

|2021–22

|Bundesliga

|8

1100091
2022–23

|Bundesliga

|16

0205{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}0230
2023–24

|Bundesliga

|20

10000201
2024–25

|Bundesliga

|21

120colspan="2"|—231
colspan="2"|Total

!65

35050753
colspan="3"|Career total

!168

1217310019515

{{notelist}}

= International =

{{updated|match played 20 March 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

rowspan="5"|Hungary

|2020

40
2021113
202270
2024120
202511
colspan="2"|Total354

{{updated|match played 20 March 2025}}

Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Schäfer goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/79213/Andras_Schafer.html|title=Schäfer, András|website=National Football Teams|access-date=22 June 2021}}

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by András Schäfer

!scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|14 June 2021Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary{{fb|CYP}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|1–0Friendly
align="center"|223 June 2021Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany{{fb|GER}}align="center"|2–1align="center"|2–2UEFA Euro 2020
align="center"|315 November 2021PGE Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland{{fb|POL}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|2–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|420 March 2025Rams Park, Istanbul, Turkey{{fb|TUR}}align="center"|1–1align="center"|1–32024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs

Personal life

Schäfer belongs on his father's side to the German minority of Hungary with ancestors believed to be from Bavaria, and while he was not able to speak fluent German when he first moved to Union Berlin, he has been improving, and has recently been able to converse in German without needing a translator.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-15 |title=Neuzugang Schäfer: Deswegen wollte er nur zu Union |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/fussball/neuzugang-schaefer-deswegen-wollte-er-nur-zu-union-79163518.bild.html |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=bild.de |language=de}}{{Citation |title="So etwas wie hier habe ich noch nie erlebt!" Interview Andras Schäfer {{!}} 1. FC Union Berlin |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXpUFjGjtw0 |access-date=2023-09-01 |language=en}}

His father's, Péter Schafer, tattoos include the badges of his son's former football clubs.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Fia klubjainak címerét tetováltatja magára Schäfer András édesapja |url=https://sportal.blikk.hu/labdarugas/nemzetkozi/bundesliga/fia-klubjainak-cimeret-tetovaltatja-magara-schafer-andras-edesapja/2023011915141023662 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Sportal.hu |language=hu}}

In an interview published on Nemzeti Sport, Mátyás Esterházy, his and Dominik Szoboszlai's manager, said that the most important moment in 2023 was Schafer's return from his injury in November.{{Cite web |last=nemzetisport.hu |date=2023 |title=Sportrádió: Nekem a legnagyobb élmény idén Schäfer visszatérése – E |url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/minden_mas_foci/sportradio-nekem-a-legnagyobb-elmeny-iden-schfer-visszaterese-esterhazy-matyas-2995283 |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=www.nemzetisport.hu |language=hu}}

In December 2024, he married Luca.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-27 |title=Schäfer András karácsony előtt megnősült – fotók |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar-valogatott/2024/12/schafer-andras-karacsony-elott-megnosult-fotok |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}

Philanthropy

In December 2024, he donated 15 million Hungarian Forints to save his former club, Szombathelyi Haladás, that was close to bankruptcy.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=Schäfer András kétszer is segített, megmenekült a Haladás |url=https://www.nemzetisport.hu/minden-mas-foci/2024/12/schafer-andras-ketszer-is-segitett-megmenekult-a-haladas |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Nemzeti Sport |language=hu}}

Honours

Individual

  • Slovak Super Liga Goal of the Month: July/August 2021{{Cite web |title=Júl / August 2021 | Televízia Markíza |url=https://golmesiaca.markiza.sk/archiv/jul-august-2021 |website=golmesiaca.markiza.sk}}
  • Slovak Super Liga U-21 Team of the Season: 2020-21{{Cite web|url=https://sportky.zoznam.sk/c/264789/zsolt-kalmar-najlepsim-hracom-jedenastku-sezony-ovladol-bratislavsky-slovan|title=Zsolt Kalmar najlepsim hracom...|website=Fortuna liga|date=23 May 2021}}

References

{{Reflist}}