Malik Tillman
{{short description|American soccer player (born 2002)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Malik Tillman
| image = Malik Tillman 2022.jpg
| caption = Tillman with Rangers in 2025
| full_name = Malik Leon Tillman{{cite web |url=https://www.bfv.de/spieler/malik-leon-tillman/00QBTG9JN4000000VV0AG819VSKRC3V1 |title=Malik Leon Tillman |work=Bavarian Football Association |access-date=January 7, 2022 |language=de}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|5|28}}
| birth_place = Nuremberg, Germany
| height = 6 ft 2 in{{cite web|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/players/mnt/malik-tillman |title=Malik Tillman |website=ussoccer.com |access-date=December 17, 2022}}
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Bayer Leverkusen
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2015
| youthclubs1 = Greuther Fürth
| youthyears2 = 2015–2020
| youthclubs2 = Bayern Munich
| years1 = 2020–2022
| clubs1 = Bayern Munich II
| caps1 = 25
| goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2021–2024
| clubs2 = Bayern Munich
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2022–2023
| clubs3 = → Rangers (loan)
| caps3 = 28
| goals3 = 10
| years4 = 2023
| clubs4 = → Jong PSV (loan)
| caps4 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023–2024
| clubs5 = → PSV (loan)
| caps5 = 28
| goals5 = 9
| years6 = 2024–2025
| clubs6 = PSV
| caps6 = 26
| goals6 = 12
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Bayer Leverkusen
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2016
| nationalteam1 = United States U15
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017
| nationalteam2 = Germany U15
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2018
| nationalteam3 = Germany U16
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam4 = Germany U17
| nationalcaps4 = 11
| nationalgoals4 = 2
| nationalyears5 = 2021
| nationalteam5 = Germany U20
| nationalcaps5 = 2
| nationalgoals5 = 1
| nationalyears6 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam6 = Germany U21
| nationalcaps6 = 4
| nationalgoals6 = 3
| nationalyears7 = 2022–
| nationalteam7 = United States
| nationalcaps7 = 25
| nationalgoals7 = 3
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's soccer}}
{{MedalCompetition|CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Medal|RU|2025 Canada–United States|}}
{{Medal|Competition|CONCACAF Nations League}}
{{Medal|W|2024|}}
| club-update = May 18, 2025
| nationalteam-update = July 6, 2025
}}
Malik Leon Tillman (born May 28, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Born in Germany, he represents the United States national team.
Tillman is a graduate of Bayern Munich's youth system, which he joined in 2015 from Greuther Fürth. He made his debut for Bayern's first-team in August 2021, having previously featured for Bayern Munich II. In July 2022, he signed for Scottish Premiership club Rangers on loan, where he won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for the 2022–23 season. In May 2024 he signed a four-year contract with PSV and won the Eredivisie in 2023–24 and 2024–25.
Tillman represented both his country of birth, Germany, and the United States at youth international level. He made his senior international debut for the United States in June 2022.
Club career
= Bayern Munich =
Born in Nuremberg, Tillman was part of the youth squad at Greuther Fürth before joining Bayern Munich along with his brother Timothy Tillman in 2015.{{cite news |title=Justin Butler, Chris Richards, and the nascent US stars earning their stripes at Bayern Munich |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayern-munich-s-young-americans-butler-richards-booth-tillman-usa-usmnt-3711 |accessdate=June 10, 2020 |work=Bundesliga}} He was quickly promoted to the under-19 squad after putting in good performances for the under-17s.
Tillman made his professional debut on June 9, 2020, when he came on as a substitute for Bayern Munich II, the club's reserve side, against Zwickau. He started and played 57 minutes as Bayern Munich II won 2–0.{{cite web |title=Bayern Munich 2-0 Zwickau |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/06/09/germany/3-liga/fc-bayern-munchen-ii/fsv-zwickau/3053438/ |website=Soccerway}}
He was promoted to Bayern Munich's senior team during the first round of the 2021–22 DFB-Pokal against Bremer SV on August 25, 2021. He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half and scored a goal in the 12–0 victory.{{cite news|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/soccer/bayern-munich-win-12-0-in-german-cup-rout-c-3782743 |title=Bayern Munich win 12-0 in German Cup rout |website=7news.com.au |date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2022}}
He made his Champions League debut on December 8, 2021, coming on as a substitute late in the second half against Barcelona.{{cite web |url=https://fcbayern.com/en/matches/profis/champions-league/2021-2022/fc-bayern-muenchen-fc-barcelona-08-12-2021/report |title=Blistering Reds down Barca |publisher=FC Bayern Munich |date=December 8, 2021 }}
== Loan to Rangers ==
On July 15, 2022, Tillman joined Scottish club Rangers on a season long loan, with the club having an exclusive option to buy.{{Cite web |title=Rangers Sign Malik Tillman From Bayern Munich |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/Article/rangers-sign-malik-tillman-from-bayern-munich/RzOQJYPLQs6hEaZSKnfa9 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=www.rangers.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He made his debut for the club against Scottish Premiership side Livingston, as a second-half substitute, during a 2–1 win on July 30.{{ cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62275140 | title=Livingston 1-2 Rangers | work=BBC Sport | date=July 30, 2022 }} He scored his first goal for Rangers in a Champions League qualifier against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on August 9,{{ cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62460304 | title=Rangers 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise| work=BBC Sport | date=August 10, 2022 }} and followed this by netting the opening goal in a 4–0 league victory at home over St Johnstone three days later.{{ cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62445663 | title=Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone| work=BBC Sport | date=August 13, 2022 }}
= PSV =
On August 10, 2023, Tillman extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2026.{{cite web |url=https://fcbayern.com/de/news/2023/08/spielpraxis-in-eindhoven-fc-bayern-verlaengert-vertrag-mit-malik-tillman |title=FC Bayern verlängert Vertrag mit Malik Tillman |publisher=FC Bayern Munich |language=de |date=August 10, 2023 }} On the same day, he joined Eredivisie club PSV on loan with an option to buy.{{cite web |url=https://www.psv.nl/nieuwspagina/artikel/transfer-psv-versterkt-middenveld-met-malik-tillman-.htm |title=Transfer {{!}} PSV versterkt middenveld met Malik Tillman |publisher=PSV |language=nl |date=August 10, 2023 }} On September 2, he scored his first goal on his Eredivisie debut in a 4–0 away win over Waalwijk.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-ricardo-pepi-malik-tillman-sergino-dest-psv/bltcd37bde723c45b12 |title=Malik Tillman scores off bench for PSV as USMNT stars Sergino Dest and Ricardo Pepi feature in lopsided win over RKC Waalwijk |publisher=Goal.com |date=September 2, 2023 }} On October 3, he provided his first Champions League assist in a 2–2 draw with Sevilla.{{cite web |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2023/10/malik-tillman-makes-impact-in-psvs-ucl-draw-with-sevilla |title=Malik Tillman makes impact in PSV's UCL draw with Sevilla |publisher=SBI Soccer |date=October 3, 2023 }}
On May 10, 2024, PSV opted to activate the buy option, securing Tillman's transfer permanently by finalizing a contract extending until 2028.{{cite web |url=https://www.psv.nl/media/artikel/transfer-malik-tillman-tekent-tot-medio-2028-bij-psv |title=Transfer {{!}} Malik Tillman tekent tot medio 2028 bij PSV |publisher=PSV |language=nl |date=May 10, 2024 }} The transfer fee was reportedly €12 million, with a buyback clause to Bayern of approximately €35 million.{{cite web |url=https://tribuna.com/de/news/fcbayern-2024-05-11-so-viel-geld-musste-fc-bayern-zahlen-um-malik-tillman-zuruckzuholen-topquelle/ |title=So viel Geld müsste FC Bayern zahlen, um Malik Tillman zurückzuholen - Top-Quelle|trans-title=That's how much money FC Bayern would have to pay to bring Malik Tillman back - top source |publisher=Tribuna.com |language=de |date=May 11, 2024 }}
= Bayer Leverkusen =
On July 12, 2025, Tillman joined Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal after the club activated his release clause, which is reported to be €35 million, representing a club record fee for Leverkusen alongside Jarell Quansah's move to the German club.{{cite web |url=https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/usa-international-malik-tillman-joins-bayer-04-from-psv |title=USA international Malik Tillman joins Bayer 04 from PSV |publisher=Bayer 04 Leverkusen |date=July 12, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6445200/2025/07/12/malik-tillman-transfer-leverkusen/ |title=Bayer Leverkusen complete deal to sign USMNT’s Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven |publisher=The Athletic |date=July 12, 2025 }}
International career
Tillman was initially eligible to represent both Germany, his birth nation, and the United States, through his father. He played youth international soccer for the United States at under-15 level{{cite news|url=https://sbisoccer.com/2022/05/bayern-munich-prospect-malik-tillman-to-play-for-the-usmnt |title=Bayern Munich prospect Malik Tillman to play for the USMNT |website=sbisoccer.com |date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=December 17, 2022}} and Germany at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-20 and under-21 levels.{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/datencenter/personen/malik-tillman/spieler |title=Malik Tillman Spielerprofil |website=dfb.de |access-date=December 17, 2022}}
In May 2022, Tillman applied for a one-time switch to play for the United States national team.{{cite web | url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayern-munich-youngster-malik-tillman-to-play-for-the-usa-20018 | title=Bayern Munich youngster Malik Tillman to play for the USA }} On May 31, the switch was approved by FIFA.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4678369/bayern-munichs-malik-tillman-cleared-to-represent-usmnt-after-fifa-approves-switch-from-germany | title=Bayern's Tillman cleared to represent USMNT | date=May 31, 2022 }} The next day, he made his senior debut for the United States in a 3–0 win in a friendly match against Morocco.{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/joe-scally-and-malik-tillman-make-usmnt-debuts-in-morocco-friendly-20166 |title=Joe Scally and Malik Tillman make USMNT debuts in Morocco friendly |website=Bundesliga |date=June 1, 2022 }}
Personal life
Tillman is a dual national of the United States and Germany, due to his father being American and his mother German. Tillman has an older brother, Timothy, who currently plays professionally with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Both brothers played for the Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich academies.
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played May 18, 2025}}{{soccerway|malik-tillman/561787|access-date=May 21, 2024}}
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 DFB-Pokal, Scottish Cup and KNVB Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
rowspan="4"|Bayern Munich II
|8 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 5 | |||||
2020–21
|3. Liga |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||||
2021–22
|15 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 4 | |||||
colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 9 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 9 | |||||
Bayern Munich
|4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
Rangers (loan)
|28 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 12 | ||
Jong PSV (loan)
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
PSV (loan)
|28 | 9 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 9 | |||
rowspan="1"|PSV
|Eredivisie |26 | 12 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UCL}} | 3 | 1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}} | 0 | 34 | 16 | ||
colspan="3"|Career total
!112 | 40 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 148 | 47 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played July 6, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/malik-tillman/4/ |title=Malik Tillman » Internationals |website=WorldFootball.net |access-date=April 27, 2024}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
rowspan="4"|United States
|2022 | 4 | 0 |
2023 | 4 | 0 |
2024 | 9 | 0 |
2025 | 8 | 3 |
colspan="2"|Total | 25 | 3 |
---|
{{hatnote|Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first.}}
class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Malik Tillman !No.!!Date!!Venue!!Opponent!!Score!!Result!!Competition | ||||||
align="center"|1 | rowspan="2"|June 15, 2025 | rowspan="2"|PayPal Park, San Jose, United States | rowspan="2"|{{fb|TTO}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" align="center"|5–0 | rowspan="2"|2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
align="center"|2 | align="center"|2–0 | |||||
align="center"|3 | June 22, 2025 | rowspan="1"|AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States | {{fb|HAI}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
Honors
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2021–22{{cite web |date=April 23, 2022 |title=Gnabry eröffnet sehenswert: FC Bayern zum zehnten Mal in Folge Meister |url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-dortmund-2022-bundesliga-4721765/analyse |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=Kicker |language=de}}
- DFL-Supercup: 2020{{cite web |title=Supercup 2020, Finale: Bayern München 3:2 Borussia Dortmund: Analyse |trans-title=Supercup 2020, Final: Bayern Munich 3:2 Borussia Dortmund: Analysis |url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-dortmund-2020-dfl-supercup-4654909/analyse |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=kicker |publisher=Olympia-Verlag |language=de}}
- UEFA Super Cup: 2020{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-fc-sevilla-2020-uefa-supercup-4651922/analyse | title = Joker Javi Martinez köpft Bayern zum Supercup | language = de | website = Kicker | date = September 24, 2020 | access-date = September 24, 2020}}
Rangers
- Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2022–23{{Cite news |last=Moffat |first=Colin |date=February 26, 2023 |title=Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64688959 |access-date=February 26, 2023}}
PSV
- Eredivisie: 2023–24, 2024–25{{Cite web |title=PSV Eindhoven crowned 2024/25 Eredivisie Champions {{!}} Flashscore.com |url=https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-eredivisie-psv-crowned-eredivisie-champions-for-26th-time-after-historic-ajax-collapse/McatY0uC/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.flashscore.com |language=en}}
United States
- CONCACAF Nations League: 2023–24{{cite news|url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/adams-reyna-on-target-as-united-states-complete-three-peat/|title=Adams Reyna on target as United States complete three peat|work=CONCACAF|date=March 25, 2024|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
Individual
- PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Premiership): 2022–23{{cite web |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2023/05/carter-vickers-tillman-voted-to-pfa-scottish-premiership-team-of-year|title=Carter-Vickers, Tillman voted to PFA Scottish Premiership Team of Year |website=SBI Soccer |date=May 9, 2023 |accessdate=May 9, 2023 |first=Larry |last=Henry Jr}}
- PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year: 2022–23{{cite web |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2023/05/malik-tillman-named-pfa-scottish-premiership-young-player-of-the-year|title=Malik Tillman named PFA Scottish Premiership Young Player of the Year |website=SBI Soccer |date=May 14, 2023 |accessdate=May 20, 2023 |first=Larry |last=Henry Jr}}
- Eredivisie Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite web |date=April 25, 2025 |title=Eredivisie Team of the Season (TOTS) |url=https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-25/tots/eredivisie |access-date=July 4, 2025 |website=Electronic Arts Inc.}}
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2025{{cite news|url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/gold-cup/news/diaz-jimenez-richards-headline-gold-cup-best-xi/|title=Díaz, Jiménez, Richards headline Gold Cup Best XI|publisher=CONCACAF|date=July 9, 2025|access-date=July 9, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{MLS player|malik-tillman}}
- {{U.S. Soccer player|t/malik-tillman}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Bayer 04 Leverkusen squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = United States squads
| bg = white
| fg = #002868
| bordercolor = #BF0A30
| list1 =
{{United States squad 2024 Copa América}}
{{United States squad 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{2022–23 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}
{{PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tillman, Malik}}
Category:Footballers from Nuremberg
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:United States men's international soccer players
Category:2024 Copa América players
Category:United States men's youth international soccer players
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Germany men's youth international footballers
Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:American people of German descent
Category:German people of African-American descent
Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers
Category:FC Bayern Munich II players
Category:Bayer 04 Leverkusen players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:PSV Eindhoven players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:German expatriate men's footballers
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Scotland