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| Kevin Großkreutz | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kevin Großkreutz |
| Caption | Großkreutz with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 |
| Fullname | Kevin Großkreutz |
| Birth date | 19 July 1988 |
| Birth place | Dortmund, West Germany |
| Height | 1.86 m |
| Position | Right-back, right winger |
| Youthclubs | Rot-Weiß Barop; BV Brambauer; TuS Eving-Lindenhorst; Borussia Dortmund |
| Seniorclubs | Rot Weiss Ahlen; Borussia Dortmund II; Borussia Dortmund; Galatasaray (trial); VfB Stuttgart; Darmstadt 98; KFC Uerdingen 05 |
| Nationalteam | Germany |
Kevin Großkreutz (born 19 July 1988) is a German former professional footballer who played primarily as a right-back and right winger. He is best known for his years at Borussia Dortmund, where he won multiple Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League final, and for his role in the Germany national team at UEFA Euro 2012. Großkreutz combined energetic wing play with strong club allegiance and became a cult figure in Dortmund, attracting attention from clubs, managers, and national team staff during his peak.
Born in Dortmund, Westphalia, Großkreutz grew up in the Ruhr area, an industrial region associated with clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, FC Schalke 04 II, VfL Bochum, FC Bayern Munich and institutions including the Ruhr University Bochum and the Dortmund U-Bahn. He began organized football at local sides such as Rot-Weiß Barop and BV Brambauer before joining TuS Eving-Lindenhorst, where youth coaches with links to regional scouting networks connected him to the academy of Borussia Dortmund. At Dortmund's youth setup he trained alongside contemporaries who later advanced to professional ranks at clubs such as FC St. Pauli, Hannover 96 and Werder Bremen, while participating in competitions organized by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund youth system and regional tournaments against academies from Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart.
Großkreutz's senior breakthrough came via lower-league football with Rot Weiss Ahlen and the reserve side of Borussia Dortmund II, after which he established himself in Borussia Dortmund's first team under manager Jürgen Klopp. During Klopp's tenure, Großkreutz contributed to Dortmund's back-to-back Bundesliga championships in 2010–11 and 2011–12 and to the club's run to the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League final against FC Bayern Munich. His performances drew interest from major clubs including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., and Paris Saint-Germain in media coverage, while Dortmund continued to compete domestically with rivals like Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich II, and Hamburger SV.
After leaving Dortmund he signed with VfB Stuttgart, where he faced competition from players nurtured by academies such as RB Leipzig and 1860 Munich, and later joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the 2. Bundesliga before moving to KFC Uerdingen 05 in the 3. Liga. His club career included appearances in domestic cup competitions like the DFB-Pokal and friendly fixtures involving teams such as Galatasaray S.K. and squads coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld and Felix Magath.
Großkreutz earned international recognition with the Germany national team, making his debut in a friendly under manager Joachim Löw. He was included in Germany's squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and played in the tournament while competing for space with teammates from clubs including Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (SS Lazio), Mesut Özil (Arsenal F.C.) and Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich). His international career comprised qualifying matches and friendlies against nations such as Italy national football team, Spain national football team, France national football team and Netherlands national football team, and he represented Germany in fixtures coordinated by UEFA and the FIFA calendar.
Großkreutz was noted for his work-rate, physicality, and versatility, operating as a full-back or winger in systems deployed by coaches like Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel. Analysts compared his engine and team ethic to other industrious wide players from Europe, referencing contemporaries at Atletico Madrid, Juventus F.C., and AC Milan in tactical analyses appearing in outlets covering Bundesliga match reports. Supporters and pundits praised his commitment in high-intensity press systems, while critics highlighted limitations in technical refinement relative to specialists at Real Madrid Castilla or elite Premier League wide players. His reputation as a "cult hero" in Dortmund linked him culturally to fan organizations such as Supporters Direct and regional traditions like the Revierderby against FC Schalke 04.
Off the pitch, Großkreutz maintained ties to Dortmund and the Ruhr area, participating in community events alongside athletes and public figures from organizations such as DFL Stiftung and charitable projects supported by Borussia Dortmund e.V.. He featured in media interactions involving sports journalists from outlets covering ARD, ZDF, and international broadcasters during major tournaments. His personal network included teammates, agents, and coaches who had played or worked at clubs including VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, and 1. FC Köln.
Großkreutz's career involved incidents that attracted legal and public attention, including altercations connected to nightlife in Dortmund and disputes reported by regional press outlets together with statements from officials at Borussia Dortmund and law enforcement agencies. These episodes were addressed in disciplinary procedures by clubs and referenced in coverage alongside other football controversies such as contract disputes at Manchester City and eligibility matters in UEFA competitions. Despite controversies, he remained a prominent figure discussed in analyses of player conduct and club culture across European football.
Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:German footballers Category:Borussia Dortmund players Category:Germany international footballers