Alexander Baumjohann

Alexander Baumjohann (born 23 January 1987) is a German footballer who most recently played for Sydney FC as an attacking midfielder. After developing as a star junior with Schalke 04, he moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach and enjoyed great success with the Bundesliga club, earning a move to Bayern Munich in 2009.

A return to Schalke 04 soon followed, where he developed a reputation as an excellent provider, a reputation he further enhanced during spells with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Hertha BSC. As of May 2018, he had amassed 46 career assists.

Baumjohann moved to Brazil so his wife, who is Brazilian, could be closer to her family. He signed a short-term contract with Coritiba in 2017 before moving to Vitória in 2018.

In 2009, he was twice selected for the Germany U21 team.

After joining the Western Sydney Wanderers in June 2018, he was hailed for his "magnificent" and "brilliant" performances by multiple observers, including manager Markus Babbel.

Career

Germany

Baumjohann began his youth career in 1991 with Teutonia Waltrop and in summer 2000, joined Schalke 04. After only two appearances in the first team, he was signed by Mönchengladbach in January 2007 on the promise of greater first team exposure. On 27 January 2007, he made his debut with Mönchengladbach against Energie Cottbus.

In July 2009, he moved to Bayern Munich on the recommendation of Jupp Heynckes, who had personally scouted the player. Six months before the move, Heynckes foreshadowed a deal, saying that "Talent makes Alex a 'Bayern player', even though he has yet to make the breakthrough in the Bundesliga." However, after six months with Bayern and sporadic Bundesliga game time, he rejoined FC Schalke.