Christian Bickel

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Christian Bickel

| image = 2021-05-29 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig gegen Chemnitzer FC (Finale Wernesgrüner Sachsenpokal 2020-21) by Sandro Halank–087.jpg

| caption = Bickel in 2021

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|01|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Bad Langensalza, Germany

| height = 1.79 m

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = BW 91 Bad Frankenhausen

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Fortuna Gräfentonna

| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = FSV Wacker 03 Gotha

| youthyears3 = {{0|0000}}–2009 | youthclubs3 = Rot-Weiß Erfurt

| youthyears4 = 2009–2010 | youthclubs4 = SC Freiburg

| years1 = 2010–2013 | clubs1 = SC Freiburg II | caps1 = 58 | goals1 = 24

| years2 = 2011–2013 | clubs2 = SC Freiburg | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2012 | clubs3 = → Jahn Regensburg (loan) | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = Energie Cottbus | caps4 = 31 | goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2013 | clubs5 = Energie Cottbus II | caps5 = 1 | goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2014–2015 | clubs6 = Hansa Rostock | caps6 = 44 | goals6 = 12

| years7 = 2015–2018 | clubs7 = SC Paderborn | caps7 = 36 | goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2017–2018 | clubs8 = → VfL Osnabrück (loan) | caps8 = 7 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2018–2020 | clubs9 = FSV Zwickau | caps9 = 22 | goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2020–2022 | clubs10 = Chemnitzer FC | caps10 = 33 | goals10 = 8

| years11 = 2022– | clubs11 = BW 91 Bad Frankenhausen | caps11 = | goals11 =

| nationalyears1 = 2010 | nationalteam1 = Germany U20 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 15 May 2022

}}

Christian Bickel (born 27 January 1991) is a German professional footballer who plays for amateur club BW 91 Bad Frankenhausen as a midfielder.

Bickel was born in Bad Langensalza. Before joining Hansa Rostock, he played for SC Freiburg.

Career

=Early career=

After playing youth football for Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Bickel joined SC Freiburg aged 18, having been scouted at a competition.{{Cite news |last=Fernschild |first=Sebastian |date=19 March 2025 |title="Dopingkontrolle mit Real-Madrid-Legende" |url=https://www.pressreader.com/article/282102052456931 |access-date=6 April 2025 |work=Thüringische Landeszeitung |language=de |via=PressReader}} He became a regular player for their reserve team in the 2010–11 season, scoring 19 goals in 32 games in the Regionalliga Süd and was awarded a professional contract at the end of the season.{{cite web | url = https://www.nordkurier.de/sport/nach-den-flitterwochen-startet-ein-thuringer-in-rostock-durch-1263083 | title = Nach den Flitterwochen startet ein Thüringer in Rostock durch | language = de | website = Nordkurier | date = 30 June 2014 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/konfusion-ums-telefon_pouplin-ist-sauer-553686/artikel | title = Konfusion ums Telefon: Pouplin ist sauer | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 9 June 2011 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} He also made two appearances for the Germany under-20 team during the 2010–11 season.{{Cite web |title=Christian Bickel - Spielerprofil |url=https://datencenter.dfb.de/datencenter/personen/christian-bickel/spieler |access-date=2025-04-18 |website= |publisher=German Football Association |language=de}} On 28 September 2011, having scored 4 goals in 7 games for the reserve team so far that season, Bickel signed a new contract with Freiburg, valid until 2014.{{cite web | url = https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11881/7209033/bickel-signs-on-for-freiburg | title = Bickel signs on for Freiburg | website = Sky Sports | date = 28 September 2011 | access-date = 4 April 2025 | first = Thomas | last = Zocher}} On 1 February 2012, Bickel joined 3. Liga club SSV Jahn Regensburg on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/jahn-bekommt-bickel-aber-keine-punkte-564118/artikel|title=Jahn bekommt Bickel, aber keine Punkte|work=kicker.de|date=1 February 2012 | language = de | access-date = 4 April 2025}} He made three appearances for the club as they were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/der-jahn-in-liga-zwei_droht-nach-der-feier-der-kater-569064/artikel | title = Der Jahn in Liga zwei: Droht nach der Feier der Kater? | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 15 May 2012 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}

=Energie Cottbus=

On 2 January 2013, he joined Energie Cottbus of the 2. Bundesliga on a free transfer, signing a contract until summer 2015.{{cite web | url = https://www.niederlausitz-aktuell.de/niederlausitz-aktuell/orte/cottbus/26141/fc-energie-verpflichtet-christian.html | title = FC Energie verpflichtet Christian Bickel | language = de | website = Niederlausitz aktuell | date = 2 January 2013 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} He had previously had a trial at the club in October the previous year.

Bickel made 21 league appearances across the 2013–14 season, as Cottbus finished bottom of the 2. Bundesliga and were relegated to the 3. Liga.{{Cite web |title=Spiele von Christian Bickel – 2013/14 |url=https://www.kicker.de/christian-bickel/spieler-einsaetze/2-bundesliga/2013-14/energie-cottbus |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} Bickel was later criticised by the club for his performances across the 2013–14 season and fined by the club for comments about the club while under contract.{{Cite news |date=20 June 2014 |title=Christian Bickel: Bickel schießt gegen FCE – FCE schießt zurück |url=https://www.lr-online.de/energie-cottbus/bickel-schiesst-gegen-fce-_-fce-schiesst-zurueck-35028974.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Lausitzer Rundschau |language=de}}{{Cite news |date=23 June 2014 |title=Energie: Energie beklagt schlechten Stil von Ex-Profis - Geldstrafe für Bickel |url=https://www.lr-online.de/energie-cottbus/energie-beklagt-schlechten-stil-von-ex-profis-geldstrafe-fuer-bickel-36530462.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Lausitzer Rundschau |language=de}}

=Hansa Rostock=

On 21 May 2014, Bickel returned to the 3. Liga, signing for Hansa Rostock on a three-year contract.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/hansa_bickel-bindet-sich-bis-2017-604879/artikel | title = Hansa: Bickel bindet sich bis 2017 | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 21 May 2014 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}

Bickel was given the 3. Liga Player of the Month award for March 2015, having won 52.6% of votes.{{Cite web |date= |title="Spieler des Monats" Christian Bickel: "Können jeden Gegner besiegen" |work=DFB - Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. |url=https://www.dfb.de/3-liga-der-maenner/news-detail/spieler-des-monats-christian-bickel-koennen-jeden-gegner-besiegen-120216/ |access-date= |publisher=German Football Association |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230424231609/https://www.dfb.de/3-liga-der-maenner/news-detail/spieler-des-monats-christian-bickel-koennen-jeden-gegner-besiegen-120216/ |archive-date=24 April 2023 |language=de}}

=SC Paderborn=

On 20 August 2015, Bickel signed for 2. Bundesliga club SC Paderborn on a two-year contract with the option for a further year.{{cite web | url = https://www.nw.de/sport/sc_paderborn_07/20545806_Christian-Bickel-verstaerkt-das-Mittelfeld-des-SCP.html | title = Christian Bickel verstärkt das Mittelfeld des SCP | language = de | website = NW Sport | date = 20 August 2015 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} Over the course of the season, he played in only 10 of Paderborn's league matches,{{Cite web |title=Spiele von Christian Bickel - 2015/16 |url=https://www.kicker.de/christian-bickel/spieler-einsaetze/2-bundesliga/2015-16/sc-paderborn-07 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} having suffered a torn ligament in his knee in September and a torn muscle in February.{{Cite web |date=20 April 2016 |title="Abstiegskämpfer" Bickel spürt Müllers Vertrauen |url=https://www.kicker.de/abstiegskaempfer-bickel-spuert-muellers-vertrauen-650014/artikel |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}

At the end of the 2015–16 season, he signed a new contract with the club, valid until 2019.{{Cite web |date=18 May 2016 |title=Auch Bickel bleibt in Paderborn |url=https://www.kicker.de/auch-bickel-bleibt-in-paderborn-4000000012675/transfermeldung |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}

In June 2017, Bickel joined VfL Osnabrück on a season-long loan.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/osnabrueck-leiht-bickel-aus-paderborn-680045/artikel | title = Osnabrück leiht Bickel aus Paderborn | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 14 June 2017 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} The following month, Bickel tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a 4–0 defeat to Wehen Wiesbaden.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/osnabruecks-bickel-erleidet-kreuzbandriss-702760/artikel | title = Osnabrücks Bickel erleidet Kreuzbandriss | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 29 July 2017 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}

On 16 May 2018, it was announced that Bickel's Paderborn contract had been terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/scp_bickel-loest-vertrag-auf-723999/artikel | title = SCP: Bickel löst Vertrag auf | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 16 May 2018 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}

=FSV Zwickau=

In summer 2018, Bickel joined FSV Zwickau on a contract until June 2021.{{cite web | url = http://www.fsv-zwickau.de/index.php/component/content/article/161-verein/saison-2018-2019/3-liga-2018-2019/1605--fsv-zwickau-bastelt-weiter-am-team-fuer-die-neue-saison-christian-bickel-und-manolo-rodas-sind-die-naechsten-neuzugaenge | title = FSV Zwickau bastelt weiter am Team für die neue Saison – Christian Bickel und Manolo Rodas sind die nächsten Neuzugänge | language = German | publisher = FSV Zwickau | access-date = 1 July 2018 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160333/http://www.fsv-zwickau.de/index.php/component/content/article/161-verein/saison-2018-2019/3-liga-2018-2019/1605--fsv-zwickau-bastelt-weiter-am-team-fuer-die-neue-saison-christian-bickel-und-manolo-rodas-sind-die-naechsten-neuzugaenge }}

Having failed to play for the club thus far during the 2019–20 season, Bickel attempted to find a loan move elsewhere during the winter transfer window, but no transfer materialised for him.{{Cite news |last=Rudolph |first=Thomas |date=14 February 2020 |title=Bin leider weit weg vom Team |url=https://www.pressreader.com/article/282299617177674 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=Thüringer Allgemeine |language=de |via=PressReader}}{{Cite web |title=Spiele von Christian Bickel – 2019/20 |url=https://www.kicker.de/christian-bickel/spieler-einsaetze/3-liga/2019-20/fsv-zwickau |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} He made 2 substitute appearances for the club later in the season.

=Chemnitzer FC=

In July 2020, Bickel's contract with Zwickau was terminated and he signed for Regionalliga Nordost club Chemnitzer FC.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/neuzugang_bickel_soll_chemnitz_die_noetige_flexibilitaet_verleihen_-780090/artikel | title = Neuzugang Bickel soll Chemnitz "die nötige Flexibilität verleihen" | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 21 July 2020 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} He scored on his debut for the club in a 3–0 Saxony Cup semi-final win over Inter Leipzig in August 2020,{{Cite news |last=Morgenstern |first=Olaf |date=12 August 2020 |title=Nach einem Jahr auf dem Zwickauer Abstellgleis Bickel startet neu durch! |url=https://www.pressreader.com/article/282780653860213 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=Dresdner Morgenpost |language=de |via=PressReader}} and he also played in the 2–1 victory over FC Eilenburg in the final later that month, despite having already been eliminated from the competition at the quarter-final stage with FSV Zwickau.{{Cite news |last=Morganstern |first=Olaf |date=10 May 2021 |title=Bickels Wettlauf mit der Zeit |url=https://www.pressreader.com/article/281492164193412 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=Chemnitzer Morgenpost |language=de |via=Pressreader}}{{Cite web |title=FC Eilenburg - Chemnitzer FC Ergebnis: Sachsen-Pokal - Herren - 22.08.2020 |url=https://www.fussball.de/spiel/fc-eilenburg-chemnitzer-fc/-/spiel/02BMFAJ2L0000000VS5489B4VULL79J9#!/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=fussball.de |language=de}} Bickel was awarded the ARD Sportschau's Goal of the Month award for October 2020, for a strike from 47 meters against Berliner AK 07 in the Regionalliga Nordost.{{Cite web |date=30 November 2020 |title=Bickel schießt Tor des Monats |url=https://www.pressreader.com/article/281990380085085 |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=Thüringische Landeszeitung |language=de |via=PressReader}}{{Cite web | title = Bikels 50-Meter-Fernschuss-Heber |url=https://www.sportschau.de/tor-des-monats/archiv/chronik20er/oktober2020tdm-sp-100.html | access-date = 4 April 2025 | website = sportschau.de | language = de | date = 28 November 2020}} The league season was suspended in November 2020 however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Bickel having scored 6 goals in 11 games, and in March 2020 it was announced that the season would not be resumed.{{Cite web |title=Spiele von Christian Bickel – 2020/21 |url=https://www.kicker.de/christian-bickel/spieler-einsaetze/dfb-pokal/2020-21/chemnitzer-fc |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}{{Cite web |date=24 March 2021 |title=Saisonabbruch in der Regionalliga Nordost - Viktoria Berlin vor Aufstieg |url=https://www.kicker.de/saisonabbruch-in-der-regionalliga-nordost-viktoria-berlin-vor-aufstieg-800623/artikel |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}} In February 2021, his contract was extended to include the 2021–22 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/bickel-verlaengert-in-chemnitz-und-blickt-ehrgeizig-in-die-zukunft-797056/artikel |title=Bickel verlängert in Chemnitz und blickt "ehrgeizig in die Zukunft" |language=de |website=kicker.de |date=10 February 2021 |access-date=4 April 2025}} He suffered from COVID-19 during April 2021.

Bickel was diagnosed with pericarditis in June 2021, but was able to return to first-team training in August.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/nach-herzbeutelentzuendung-christian-bickel-steht-vor-dem-comeback-869406/artikel | title = Nach Herzbeutelentzündung: Christian Bickel steht vor dem Comeback | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 25 August 2021 | access-date = 4 April 2025}}

In May 2022, it was announced that Bickel's contract would be terminated at the end of the season at his request, due to his persistent injury problems.{{Cite web |last=Debat |first=Ralf |date=22 May 2022 |title=Chemnitz' Bickel: "Pokalheld" zum Abschied |url=https://www.fussball.de/newsdetail/chemnitz-bickel-pokalheld-zum-abschied/-/article-id/240330#!/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.fussball.de |language=de}} In his final match for Chemnitz, the Saxony Cup final against Chemie Leipzig, Bickel scored the winning goal in Chemnitz's 2–1 victory with a strike from 20 yards.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-05-22 |title=Regionalliga: Siegtor zum Karriereende: Bickel beschert 12. Pokalerfolg |url=https://www.zeit.de/news/2022-05/21/siegtor-im-letzten-spiel-bickel-sichert-chemnitz-erfolg |access-date=2025-04-06 |work=Die Zeit |language=de-DE |issn=0044-2070 |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur}}

In summer 2022, Bickel joined amateur side BW 91 Bad Frankenhausen.{{Cite web |last1 = Fernschild |first1 = Sebastian | last2 = Ritter | first2 = Julia | date= 14 June 2022 | title = Christian Bickel wechselt nach Bad Frankenhausen |url=https://www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/sport/Lokalsport-uebersicht/article235619163/Christian-Bickel-wechselt-nach-Bad-Frankenhausen.html | access-date = 6 April 2022 | website = Thüringer Allgemine |language = de}}{{cite web | url = https://www.bw91.de/2022/09/24/bickel-ueber-profiniveau-in-der-kurstadt-seine-mitspieler-und-schoensten-stationen/ | title = Bickel über Profiniveau in der Kurstadt, seine Mitspieler und schönsten Stationen. | language = de | website = bw91.de | date = 24 September 2022 | access-date = 4 April 2025}} As of March 2025, he was both a player and a youth coach at the club.