Borussia Mönchengladbach's Tim Kleindienst has certainly taken the long road to his maiden Germany call-up. But as the Foals' top scorer this season, the striker is proving he can do it at the highest level.

bundesliga.com profiles the forward who has led the line this season in Gladbach.

Tim Kleindienst

Age: 29 (born 31 August 1995)
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Position: Striker
Country: Germany (10 caps at U20 level)

Key stats

Born in Luckenwalde, Kleindienst initially learned his trade at FC Viktoria Jüterbog, before switching to Energie Cottbus, where he stayed from 2008 to 2015. Signing for Freiburg in 2015, the striker then proceeded to flip-flop between signing for Heidenheim, before going back to Freiburg, then back to Heidenheim again, and then to Gent in Belgium, ultimately returning to Heidenheim one last time in 2021 where he remained until 2024. Prior to rejoining Heidenheim however, the striker had struggled to establish himself as a truly reliable man to the lead line, but it was there that he really honed his craft.

Watch: The best of Tim Kleindienst

The striker played a crucial role in Heidenheim’s historic promotion to the Bundesliga at the end of the 2022/23 season, grabbing an impressive 25 goals in 32 appearances for the club. He continued this form into their maiden Bundesliga season in which he returned a very respectable 12 goals in 33 appearances, helping to steer his side to an eighth-place finish, comfortably avoiding relegation and even qualifying for the UEFA Conference League.

These impressive seasons for Heidenheim earned Kleindienst a move to Bundesliga big boys Mönchengladbach. In the current 2024/25 season, the 29-year-old is the club’s top scorer, having netted twice. The number 11 has taken more shots than anyone else at Gladbach too (14) and has also struck the post once. Add in an assist and he also leads the team for goal contributions.

However, it's not just his stats on the ball that have caught people’s attention. Last season he topped the division for aerial duels won, sprints and intensive runs, while he was third for overall duels won. This term he's second only to Florian Wirtz in the two running categories and in the top 10 for aerial duels.

Watch: Kleindienst's 2023/24 Bundesliga goals

About the players

11

Tim

Kleindienst

Borussia Mönchengladbach

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He particularly impressed on his Bundesliga debut, as Gladbach were unlucky not to hold onto a point at home to champions Bayer Leverkusen. Kleindienst displayed his acumen in the box with an instinctive finish that levelled the score to 2-2 for the hosts. Prior to this goal, he’d had another chalked off earlier in the match for a foul in the build-up, but regardless, his natural finishing ability was on show. After two goals across the opening five matchdays of the 2024/25 campaign, Kleindienst received his maiden call-up for the UEFA Nations League matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Netherlands - he had previously made 10 appearances for Germany's U20s earlier on in his career.

Plays a bit like: Edin Džeko

Standing at 1.94m tall, the comparison between Kleindienst and former Wolfsburg man Džeko may seem obvious, with them both being archetypal ‘big men up top’. And whilst this definitely fits with regard to his heading ability, the other facets of Kleindienst’s game, namely his tenacity, desire to work for his team and clinical finishing ability makes the comparison all the clearer with the man who was made at Wolfsburg.

Did you know?

In his spare time, Kleindienst likes relaxing with some anime and manga, while he has also previously declared his passion for Donald Duck and Disney comics. Not exactly what you would expect from a bruising striker, but still an enjoyable way to unwind!

Watch: Kleindienst reflects on maiden Germany call-up

What they’re saying

"He's a goal threat, and also works hard for the team and his teammates, and gives a certain stability. He can hold the ball up as a lone striker, and also make quality runs in behind the defence." - Roland Virkus, Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director

"We would be extremely happy about that. Whenever one of our players is nominated, it is a sign that we are all heading in the right direction. He [Kleindienst] opens up a lot of space. He doesn't shy away from any challenge and gets the team going." - Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach Gerardo Seoane shortly before Kleindienst's Germany inclusion

"I would have no worries about nominating Kleindienst. I think Julian Nagelsmann already has him in mind. He is a strong player, intelligent, physically good and has a great header. - Germany's record-appearance maker and FIFA World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus in September 2024

About the clubs

Borussia Mönchengladbach

BORUSSIA-PARK