Armando Sieb impressed during his two years with Greuther Fürth. - © IMAGO/Andreas Volz

bundesliga

Armindo Sieb: Who is the returning Bayern Munich ace set to shine at Mainz?

30.06.2024

Armindo Sieb returns to Bayer Munich after an eye-catching two-year spell with Greuther Fürth and will spend the next 48 months with fellow Bundesliga outfit Mainz. But who is the versatile forward set to shine amongst the elite? bundesliga.com gives you the lowdown.

Data correct as of 1 July 2024

Armindo Sieb

Age: 21
Club: Mainz 05 (on loan from Bayern Munich)
Position: Forward
Country: Germany (1 U21 cap)

Key stats

When Sieb joined Fürth from Bayern in the summer of 2022 on a three-year contract, it was telling that the Bavarian juggernaut included a buy-back clause in the deal. They were clearly convinced of his talent, and the youngster has profitted from the platform that Die Kleeblätter gave him. Sieb played in 63 out of a possible 68 Bundesliga 2 matches during his stint at the Sportpark Ronhof, and was Fürth's top goalscorer during the 2023/24 campaign with 12 strikes. That was not enough to fire the team to the top tier, but Sieb will now get his chance to play against the elite with Mainz, where he will remain until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Born in Halle, Sieb has long been one of the most promising young attacking talents in eastern Germany and was picked up by ambitious Saxony upstarts RB Leipzig at the age of 14. He only hung around for one season, though, leaving for Hoffenheim in July 2018, and he hit the ground running with Die Kraichgauer's U17s. Only 15 years, five months and 26 days old when he made his debut in a 2-1 win at Augsburg, the young forward concluded his first campaign with 10 goals from 25 games. Then, in 2019/20, he matched the previous year's goal tally in 10 fewer games, while adding five assists.

Sieb is a fully fledged Germany youth international. - imago images

He was soon on the move again, and after signing a three-year contract with Bayern in July 2020, he got two goals and two assists in 12 3. Liga games for the German champions' reserve team in 2020/21. The highlight of that season, though, will have been when he made his first-team debut in October 2020, coming on as a substitute in a DFB Cup win over FC Düren. Bayern II were relegated to the Regionalliga that term, but that proved to be a blessing in disguised for Sieb, whose 10 goals in 33 matches convinced Fürth to sign him permanently.

Sieb has been a regular goalscorer for his country too. After getting six goals in nine games for Germany's U17 team, he scored at U19 and U20 level prior to making his U21 debut in a goalless UEFA European Championship draw with Kosovo in March 2024.

Plays a bit like: Serge Gnabry

Sieb has been nicknamed "mini-Gnabry" by his teammates and the parallels go far beyond his striking physical similarity to the Bayern and Germany star.

Able to finish chances with both feet, Sieb packs plenty of strength into his 5'9" frame. His pace and explosive power make him a nightmare to handle regardless of where he lines up in the final third, be it on either flank, behind the striker, or leading the line himself.

Gnabry spent a season on loan at Hoffenheim in 2017/18, scoring 10 goals - including a wonder-strike against Leipzig - in 22 games. Sieb will not doubt be hoping to replicate the Germany international's Bayern achievements when he inevitably gets his chance.

Watch: Gnabry's incredible lob scored for Hoffenheim against Leipzig in December 2017

Did you know?

Sieb does have some bad memories of his senior debut with Bayern. He was initially given his chance because the match had been rescheduled in an already packed season to take place right after an international break. Bayern rested many of their senior players against fifth-tier opposition as a result, paving the way for Sieb to replace Douglas Costa on 61 minutes.

The youngster had to be replaced 20-odd minutes later, however, having suffered an ankle ligament injury that kept him out for several months. At 17 years and 241 days, though, Sieb had become the third-youngest Bayern to player to feature in the DFB Cup after Jamal Musiala and David Alaba.

What they're saying

"He's earned the experience by working hard every day at the club." - Bayern U19 coach Danny Galm - formerly of the Hoffenheim U17s - after Sieb was called up by Germany

"What do broad shoulders bring you if you don't have the heart of a lion?" - Sieb, in a thank you message to his mother on Instagram, after reaching three goals in three games for Germany's U17 team

"Armindo Sieb is an attacker who gives our squad even more options with his pace, dynamism and deep runs. He has also already proven that he can create a goal threat from various offensive positions. We are very happy that he has decided to pursue a future at Mainz 05." Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel

"We have followed Armindo closely during his two years in Fürth. He has developed very well, especially in the last season - in his age group he was one of the top scorers in the second division in 2023/24. Armindo is an extremely fast, aggressive type of player. His style certainly fits in very well with Mainz, and the Bundesliga is now the next logical step for him." Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund