German footballer
Felix Kroos (born 12 March 1991) is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Hansa Rostock, Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, and Eintracht Braunschweig and represented Germany at international levels U16 through U21.
Early and personal life
Kroos was born in Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; he was born five months after German reunification in what was once East Germany. His mother Britta was the East German champion in badminton, and his father Roland was a former footballer. His older brother Toni Kroos was also a footballer and midfielder, spending most of his career with FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and winning honours including the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[2]
Club career
Early career
Kroos began his career in 1997 at Greifswalder SC and was in summer 2002 scouted by Hansa Rostock.[3] Kroos played for Hansa Rostock II for two seasons.[4] Kroos made his professional debut in a third round German Cup match for Hansa Rostock against VfL Wolfsburg on 28 January 2009.[5] He was substituted on in the 69th minute for Sebastian Svärd. Two days prior to the relegation of Hansa Rostock, Kroos announced his departure from the club.
Werder Bremen
Kroos signed a three-year contract for Werder Bremen on 15 June 2010.[3] On 24 November 2010, he made his first-team debut during an away UEFA Champions League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur during which he gave away a penalty for a foul on Luka Modrić in a 3–0 loss.[6] He finished the 2010–11 season with six matches played.[4] He played in one match during the 2011–12.[4] He made five appearances during the 2012–13 season.[4] On 9 November 2013, he scored his first Bundesliga goal against Schalke 04 in an away match, which ended as a 3–1 defeat for Bremen.[7] He finished the 2013–14 season with a goal in 20 matches played.[8] He finished the 2014–15 season with 29 matches played.[9] During the 2015–16 season, Kroos made nine appearances before moving to Union Berlin.[4]
Union Berlin
Kroos was loaned out to Union Berlin on 28 January 2016.[10] He joined the club permanently in June, reportedly for a transfer fee of €500,000 and a 20% share of a potential future transfer fee.[11] He finished the 2015–16 season with two goals in 12 matches played for Union Berlin.[4]
He scored his first goal for Union Berlin on 12 February 2017 in a 3–1 win over Arminia Bielefeld in the 2. Bundesliga, with a free kick.[12] He finished the 2016–17 season with two goals in 31 matches played.[13]
He finished the 2017–18 season with a goal in 30 matches played.[14]
Eintracht Braunschweig
In September 2020, after his contract with Union Berlin expired, Kroos moved to 2. Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig on a two-year contract.[15] He retired from playing in July 2021.[16]
International career
Kroos played Germany's youth national teams at levels U16 through U21.[16]
Managerial career
On 26 November 2021, Kroos was appointed assistant coach of Union Berlin's U-19 side.[17]
Career statistics
Honours
Individual
References
External links