Kevin Wimmer

Kevin Wimmer (German pronunciation: [ˈkɛvɪn ˈvɪmɐ];[3][4] born 15 November 1992) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for 2. Bundesliga club Karlsruher SC, on loan from Stoke City, and the Austria national team.

Kevin Wimmer
Wimmer with the Austria national team in 2015
Personal information
Full name Kevin Wimmer[1]
Date of birth (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992[2]
Place of birth Wels, Upper Austria, Austria
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Karlsruher SC
(on loan from Stoke City)
Youth career
1998–2000 FC Edt
2000–2010 Fußballakademie Linz
2010–2011 LASK
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 LASK II 20 (0)
2011–2012 LASK 28 (4)
2012–2015 1. FC Köln 73 (2)
2013 1. FC Köln II 3 (0)
2015–2017 Tottenham Hotspur 15 (0)
2017– Stoke City 17 (0)
2018–2019 → Hannover 96 (loan) 22 (0)
2019–2020 → Mouscron (loan) 17 (0)
2021– → Karlsruher SC (loan) 0 (0)
National team‡
2010 Austria U18 2 (0)
2012–2014 Austria U21 10 (0)
2013– Austria 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:58, 30 March 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10:28, 8 October 2017 (UTC)

Wimmer began his professional career with LASK where his performances earned him a move to German club 1. FC Köln in June 2012. In the 2013–14 season, Wimmer helped Köln set a new 2. Bundesliga record, conceding only 20 goals as they earned promotion to the Bundesliga. After a solid first season in the German top flight he moved to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £4.3 million. However his playing time under Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane was restricted due to the form of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. After two seasons in North London, Wimmer joined Stoke City in August 2017 for a fee of £18 million. He struggled for game time at Stoke and joined Hannover 96 on loan for the 2018–19 season and Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron in 2019–20.

Club career

1. FC Köln

In June 2012, Wimmer moved from Austrian side LASK to German club 1. FC Köln for a €250,000 transfer fee.[5] On 5 August 2012, he made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Eintracht Braunschweig.[6] He went on to become a regular in Köln's defence. On 29 November 2013, Wimmer scored his first goal in a 3–0 win over FC St. Pauli.[7]

In the 2013–14 season, Wimmer helped the club set a 2. Bundesliga record, conceding only 20 goals as they earned promotion to the Bundesliga. Wimmer continued his good performances in Germany's top division to help Köln stay in the Bundesliga, managing to avoid defeat against every team, save for Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg, at least once. The team played a Bundesliga record nine 0–0 draws, equalling Bayern Munich's 1966 Bundesliga record of not conceding a goal in 13 matches. In the 2014–15 season, Wimmer started 32 matches and was named the seventh-best defender in the league by football magazine Kicker.[8][9][10][11]

Tottenham Hotspur

On 29 May 2015, Wimmer joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract for a reported £4.3 million transfer fee.[12][13] On 30 July, he made his Tottenham debut against the MLS All-Stars in a 2–1 defeat in Denver, Colorado. Wimmer replaced captain Jan Vertonghen after 45 minutes and made his debut alongside fellow new signings Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld.

On 4 August 2015, Wimmer made his first start for the club in a 2–0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Audi Cup, played in Munich, and was replaced by Jan Vertonghen after 46 minutes. Wimmer was limited to scant cup appearances and squad namings to start the season, mainly due to the strong central defense partnership between Vertonghen and Alderweireld.[14] With a loan out of the club a potential possibility, manager Mauricio Pochettino elected to keep Wimmer, citing a need for depth in defense in case of an injury.[15] Such an opportunity arose, as Wimmer finally got his breakthrough when he made his first league appearance of the 2015–16 Premier League season on 23 January 2016, coming on as a substitute for an injured Vertonghen in a 3–1 win over Crystal Palace.[16] With Vertonghen ruled out for about two months, Wimmer was set for an extended run as his replacement in both the Premier League and the Europa League knockout stages.[17] Wimmer impressed as Vertonghen's replacement, making 15 starts across all competitions before Vertonghen returned against Manchester United on 10 April.[18] In the 9 league starts made by Wimmer, Tottenham only gave up six goals as they reached second place in the table. After the season, Wimmer signed a new five-year contract, keeping him at Tottenham until the summer of 2021.[19]

Despite heading into the 2016–17 season with "different expectations" on the heels of his first season, Wimmer was once again on the bench to start the year, not helped by a preseason thigh injury. After telling the Austrian paper Kleine Zeitung in October that he was waiting "patiently for his chance",[20] an injury to Toby Alderweireld opened up the door for Wimmer, but it was initially Eric Dier who took his spot at centre-back.[21] A second injury was necessary for Wimmer to crack the lineup, and it was Dele Alli who suffered this time. Wimmer appeared for the first time in the Premier League that season on 6 November against bitter rivals Arsenal as the lone centre-back in a three-man back line that was used for the first time by manager Mauricio Pochettino that season.[22] In the derby, Wimmer scored an own goal attempting to defend a whipping Mesut Özil free kick in a 1–1 draw.[23]

Stoke City

Wimmer signed for Stoke City on 28 August 2017, for a fee of £18 million.[24] Manager Mark Hughes said that "Bringing Kevin here is a real coup in my view, because he is a hugely talented young player who will undoubtedly add further quality to the group...There is a lot of money being spent this summer, so for us to get a player of Kevin’s calibre through the door for the price we have paid, in my opinion, is something we will really appreciate for years to come".[25][26] He made his Stoke debut on 9 September 2017 in a 2–2 draw against Manchester United.[27][28] Wimmer made a poor start to his Stoke career and came in for much criticism from supporters for his performance in a heavy defeat at Manchester City.[29][30]

Wimmer's performances failed to improve and he was placed on a special fitness regime by new manager Paul Lambert.[31] Wimmer failed to play at all under Lambert, as Stoke suffered relegation to the EFL Championship.[32] Wimmer was branded a 'flop' by Stoke supporters and it was reported that the club would be willing to take a substantial loss on him in the summer.[33] Wimmer joined Bundesliga club Hannover 96 on loan in May 2018 with the option of a permanent transfer.[34] Wimmer played 24 games for Hannover as the side finished in 17th position and were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. He did not play enough matches to trigger a permanent transfer.[35]

On 31 August 2019, Wimmer joined Belgian Belgian First Division A side Royal Excel Mouscron on loan for the 2019–20 season.[36] He made 18 appearances for Mouscron until the Belgian season was ended early in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Mouscron in 10th position.[37]

On 1 February 2021, Wimmer joined German side Karlsruher SC on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[38]

International career

Wimmer has represented Austria at under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.

On 15 November 2013, he made his senior debut for the Austria national team in a friendly, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over the United States.[39]

He represented the national team at 2016 UEFA Euro.[40]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 7 March 2020[41][42]
Wimmer playing for Austria in March 2015
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LASK II 2010–11 Regionalliga Mitte 200———200
LASK 2011–12 Erste Liga 28430——314
1. FC Köln 2012–13 2. Bundesliga 9020——110
2013–14 2. Bundesliga 26220——282
2014–15 Bundesliga 32020——340
Total 67260——732
1. FC Köln II 2012–13 Regionalliga West 30———30
Tottenham Hotspur 2015–16 Premier League 10040106[lower-alpha 1]0210
2016–17 Premier League 5020201[lower-alpha 2]0100
Total 150603070310
Stoke City 2017–18 Premier League 1701010—190
2018–19 EFL Championship 000000—00
2019–20 EFL Championship 000000—00
2020–21 EFL Championship 000000—00
Total 1701010—190
Hannover 96 (loan) 2018–19 Bundesliga 22021——241
Mouscron (loan) 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 17010——180
Career total 189619140702197
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 15 November 2016[43][44]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Austria 201310
201400
201510
201660
Total80

References
  1. "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  2. "Premier League Player Profile Kevin Wimmer". Barclays Premier League. 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  3. Krech, Eva-Maria; Stock, Eberhard; Hirschfeld, Ursula; Anders, Lutz Christian (2009). Deutsches Aussprachewörterbuch [German Pronunciation Dictionary] (in German). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. pp. 648, 1055. ISBN 978-3-11-018202-6.
  4. Dudenredaktion; Kleiner, Stefan; Knöbl, Ralf (2015) [First published 1962]. Das Aussprachewörterbuch [The Pronunciation Dictionary] (in German) (7th ed.). Berlin: Dudenverlag. p. 904. ISBN 978-3-411-04067-4.
  5. Hytner, David (20 March 2015). "Tottenham agree £4.3m deal to sign Kevin Wimmer from FC Köln". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  6. "Ademi braucht nur wenige Sekunden gegen Köln" (in German). 5 August 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  7. "ST. PAULI VS. KÖLN 0 – 3". Socerway. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  8. Germany, kicker online, Nürnberg. "1. FC Köln - Alle Termine der Saison 2014/15". kicker online.
  9. Germany, kicker online, Nürnberg. "1. Bundesliga 2014/15, der 34. Spieltag". kicker online.
  10. Germany, kicker online, Nürnberg. "1. Bundesliga - die Topspieler 2014/15 - Abwehr". kicker online.
  11. Rekord-Jäger Stöger: Erfolgreichster Start seit 19 Jahren?, Bild, 29 August 2015.
  12. "Wimmer Completes Move". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  13. "Tottenham sign Kevin Wimmer from FC Koln for £4.3m". The Telegraph. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  14. "KEVIN'S PRAISE FOR TOBY AND JAN". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 17 December 2015.
  15. Lewis, Darren (27 December 2015). "Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer a loan target for French outfit Marseille". The Mirror.
  16. "Crystal Palace 1–3 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  17. Kilpatrick, Dan (31 January 2016). "Kevin Wimmer ready to stand in for Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham". ESPN FC.
  18. "The Big Interview with Jan Vertonghen". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 12 April 2016.
  19. Thomas, Lyall (21 July 2016). "Kevin Wimmer signs new five-year Tottenham contract". Sky Sports.
  20. ""Risikomann" Wimmer und seine Ruhe". Kleine Zeitung (in German). 7 October 2016.
  21. Ralph, Vincent (16 October 2016). "Tottenham fans call for Wimmer after Alderweireld injury". HITC.
  22. Ames, Nick (6 November 2016). "Arsenal miss chance to go top as Tottenham fight back for derby draw". ESPN FC.
  23. "Arsenal 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  24. "Kevin Wimmer: Stoke sign Tottenham defender for £18m". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  25. "City boss says the Potters have made a shrewd signing in Kevin Wimmer". Stoke City. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  26. "Wimmer: Potters Switch was easy decision". Stoke City F.C. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  27. "Kevin Wimmer handed City debut". Stoke City. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  28. "Stoke 2–2 Man United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  29. "Stoke City Extra Time on fall guy Kevin Wimmer's trials and tribulations". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  30. "Is Stoke City's Kevin Wimmer The Worst Signing Of The Season?". The Sportsman. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  31. "Exclusive: Kevin Wimmer put on special fitness regime by Stoke manager Paul Lambert". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  32. "Swansea 1-2 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  33. "Stoke prepared to take substantial hit on £18m flop Kevin Wimmer". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  34. "Austrian international departs bet365 Stadium to join German side". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  35. "Hannover 96 re-write club transfer policy to avoid another Kevin Wimmer scenario". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  36. "Stoke City transfer news: £15m ex-Spurs defender completes move out". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  37. "Club Brugge awarded Belgian Pro League title as season ended early". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  38. "KSC LOAN LEFT-BACK KEVIN WIMMER". Karlsruher SC (in German). Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  39. "AUSTRIA VS. UNITED STATES 1 – 0". Soccerway. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  40. "Austria-Hungary | Line-up | UEFA Euro". UEFA. com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  41. "Kevin Wimmer » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Worldfootball.
  42. Kevin Wimmer at Soccerway
  43. "Wimmer, Kevin". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  44. "Kevin Wimmer". eu-football.info. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
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