With the new Bundesliga season on Sorare now less than 56 days away, we look at the goalkeeper situation at each club: who will be the undisputed #1, the new first-choice players between the sticks and undervalued gems that could breakout or get game-time throughout the season. We will cover all teams in this list, including the newly promoted and relegated ones, according to their finish in the league table.
Goalkeepers are worth their weight in gold on Sorare because while each team has multiple forwards, midfielders and defenders that start in each game, there is only one shot-stopper they can choose. This makes finding a starting keeper on a budget much more rewarding which is why flipping backup keepers when the first choice loses their spot or is absent due to injury or other reasons can be so profitable. If you prefer holding a second-choice keeper in hopes that you get a future first-choice keeper for your fantasy football team on a budget, then that isn’t a bad idea either.
Read on to find out more about the goalkeepers for each Bundesliga team this upcoming season. It is worth noting that the transfer window hasn’t opened yet, and anything could happen before the season starts, so nothing is fixed. If you haven’t signed up on Sorare yet, use our referral link to create an account and receive a free tier 2 card when you buy five cards from the auction (limited period offer).
Note: This is just our opinion, and it is important that you also do your own research before zeroing in on any player in this article.
Bayern Munich
🔄 League appearances: Manuel Neuer (28), Sven Ulreich (6), Christian Früchtl (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Manuel Neuer (71.9%), Sven Ulreich (56.5%), Christian Früchtl (0%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 11 (1st)
⚽ Goals conceded: 37 (1st)
✅ Penalties saved: Manuel Neuer (0/1), Sven Ulreich (0/1)
Manuel Neuer did not have his best season by any means, even if the number of cleansheets and the fact that he kept the most of them say otherwise. And if there was any rumor that he would retire or move away because of the club’s initial reluctance to meet his wage demands, it was quashed when he signed a new one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2024. Neuer wasn’t the only one to sign a contract extension. His deputy for a short period when he was injured, Sven Ulreich, also signed a contract extension until 2023. There is no doubt that the same hierarchy will follow in the 22/23 season, but as Neuer turns 36, the injury concerns grow stronger.
Christian Früchtl is the third choice but the fact that he featured only in the last match of the season for the final nine minutes summarizes his stint at the club that has been a combination of bad luck and mishandling. With his contract expiring in 2023, the club decided to sell him to Austria Vienna, where he could be the #1 following Patrick Pentz’s contract expiring this summer. Ron-Thorben Hoffmann has also been sold to third division side Eintracht Braunschweig (Source: Bild).
Also in the mix is Alexander Nübel, currently in the final year of his two-year loan to AS Monaco in France. He had a similar start to his Bayern career to Früchtl, starting only one game in his first season at the club as he played second fiddle to Neuer but was excellent last season, keeping 11 cleansheets in 38 Ligue 1 games and finishing third among all keepers for save percentage. Unless something happens to Neuer that keeps him out long-term, Nübel is expected to complete his loan and possibly replace Neuer in 2023 or 2024.
Update: Third-choice Christian Früchtl has joined Austria Vienna and Bayern have a buyback clause in his contract. Ron-Thorben Hoffmann has also joined Eintracht Braunschweig on a contract till 2024.
Borussia Dortmund
🔄 League appearances: Gregor Kobel (29), Marvin Hitz (5), Roman Bürki (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Gregor Kobel (65.7%), Marvin Hitz (56.5), Roman Bürki (0)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 7 (10th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 52 (8th)
✅ Penalties saved: Gregor Kobel (0/3), Marvin Hitz (0/2), Roman Bürki (0/1)
Borussia Dortmund had their worst season defensively in over nine years, and first-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was underwhelming, to say the least, so it only made sense that the club signed veteran Alexander Meyer who is coming off the back of seven cleansheets from 30 games in the 2. Bundesliga for Jahn Regensburg. He is set to compete with Kobel throughout the season, with another new signing Marcel Lotka from Hertha Berlin, expected to be the third choice behind him.
BVB lost two keepers this window, with former first choice Roman Bürki joining new MLS side St. Louis City for their inaugural season in the American first division and backup Marwin Hitz joining FC Basel in his home country Switzerland on a free at the end of his contract. Hitz is expected to be the #1 keeper this time, with Heinz Lindner also returning to his home country Austria to sign for Austria Vienna in the coming weeks (Source: nau.ch).
Bayer Leverkusen
🔄 League appearances: Lukáš Hrádecký (32), Lennart Grill (1), Andrey Lunev (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Lukáš Hrádecký (72.5%), Lennart Grill (66.7%), Andrey Lunev (50%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 8 (7th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 47 (6th)
✅ Penalties saved: Lukáš Hrádecký (1/4)
Bayer Leverkusen are building one of the most exciting and talented young squads in the world, but when it comes to keepers, the club is content with all the players that they have, with new additions looking unlikely. For a period of time, it felt like club captain Lukáš Hrádecký would be sold despite having the best season of his career, but he is expected to continue as the undisputed #1 with a new contract extension on the horizon.
Andrey Lunev will be his backup again but probably won’t get much game time. Third-choice Lennart Grill was relegated in his last loan spell with Brann FK in Norway, and the club might try to loan him out again or sell him as he searches for more consistent minutes. He is linked with Union Berlin as a possible backup for Rønnow.
Update: Third-choice Lennart Grill has been signed on a one-year loan with an option to purchase by Union Berlin.
RB Leipzig
🔄 League appearances: Péter Gulácsi (32), Josep Martínez (1), Philipp Tschauner (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Péter Gulácsi (71%), Josep Martínez (25%), Philipp Tschauner (0)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 10 (3rd)
⚽ Goals conceded: 37 (1st)
✅ Penalties saved: Péter Gulácsi (0/3)
Leipzig have the most interesting goalkeeper situation in the Bundesliga. #1 Péter Gulácsi remains as consistent as ever, and there is no reason why the club should worry about his immediate future. They did, however, sign the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in the Champions League, Maarten Vandevoordt, from Genk. The only catch is that he will sign when his contract with the Belgian club expires two years later in 2024, after which he will rival and eventually replace Gulácsi, whose contract expires in 2025. Talk about making an early move.
While on the front, it is relatively quiet, RB Leipzig are shuffling all their backup keepers with the duo of Josep Martínez and Philipp Tschauner leaving the club this summer. The club is willing to sell second-choice Martínez, with the goalkeeper aiming for a move to the LaLiga in his home country Spain (Source: Ligainsider). He will be replaced by new signing Janis Blaswich who has joined from Heracles Almelo. On the other hand, Tschauner has decided to retire after an 18-year professional career and will be replaced by U19 keeper Jonas Nickisch as the third choice.
Update: Backup keeper Josep Martínez has joined relegated Serie B side CFC Genoa on a year-long loan.
FC Union Berlin
🔄 League appearances: Andreas Luthe (27), Frederik Rønnow (7)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Andreas Luthe (64.8%), Frederik Rønnow (72.7%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 8 (7th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 44 (3rd)
✅ Penalties saved: Andreas Luthe (0/2)
After a poor season for 35-year-old Andreas Luthe, who struggled with injuries throughout the season and his transfer to Kaiserslautern in the second division, which was confirmed just a few minutes ago (Source: Bulinews), it is almost confirmed that Frederik Rønnow will be the first choice between the sticks for the reinforced backline with Doekhi and van Drongelen joining the club.
The club will sign a new competitor for Rønnow, and one name that has come up is Bayer Leverkusen’s Lennart Grill. Another possible candidate is Austria Vienna’s Patrick Pentz, who is available on a free transfer this summer (Source: bz-berlin). Rønnow is also expected to be Kasper Schmeichel’s backup for Denmark in the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
Update: U-23 goalkeeper Lennart Mosser who was on loan at SK Austria Klagenfurt, was recently pictured on trial at K.A.S. Eupen in Belgium. The club has also signed Lennart Grill as a backup for Rønnow.
SC Freiburg
🔄 League appearances: Mark Flekken (32), Benjamin Uphoff (2)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Mark Flekken (73.6%), Benjamin Uphoff (41.7%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 10 (3rd)
⚽ Goals conceded: 46 (5th)
✅ Penalties saved: Mark Flekken (0/2)
After working his way up from the German third division, Mark Flekken had to wait for another three years to become Freiburg’s #1, and when he finally got a chance, he proved he is one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga. He led the league for shot save percentage (73.6%), was integral to the club’s push for European football and also played an essential role in improving the club’s defence from one of the league’s worst to one of the best defences in the league along with Nico Schlotterbeck. His good performances have even earned him a call-up to the Dutch national team, where he will have to prove himself against Cillesen to be the first choice between the sticks in the World Cup.
Flekken will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Freiburg next season unless Ajax, who are desperately in need of a goalkeeper, convince him to move away (Source: Bulinews). If he leaves, that will be a double blow for the Breisgau Brazilians as Nico Schlotterbeck has also left the club to join BVB, although Ginter is an excellent replacement. One person who might benefit from Flekken’s departure might be Benjamin Uphoff, who hasn’t played much for the club but has plenty of experience playing for Karlsruher SC. There is also the option of Noah Atubolu, who has just been promoted from the youth to the first team and will likely be the third choice. The most likely option, however, still remains that the club signs a new keeper, but there are no rumors on the same yet.
FC Köln
🔄 League appearances: Marvin Schwäbe (21), Timo Horn (13)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Marvin Schwäbe (70.8%), Timo Horn (61.8%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 4 (18th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 49 (7th)
✅ Penalties saved: Marvin Schwäbe (1/1)
When fan-favorite Timo Horn lost his starting spot to Marvin Schwäbe after almost 10 years due to a string of bad performances, it is safe to say that the news didn’t go well with some of the club’s fans. But after Schwäbe’s good performances, especially at the end of the season, fans will be content with him keeping the #1 spot for now. This is the most competitive battle among goalkeepers in the league, and Horn will be waiting for Schwäbe’s form to drop and possibly some pressure from the fans to win his place back in the starting XI, which seems unlikely as it stands.
There might be some possible rotation with the club qualifying for the Europa Conference League, but that is yet to be seen with some rumors coming up that the club might want to sell Horn, whose contract expires in 2023, due to his high wage bill (Source: Bild).
FSV Mainz 05
🔄 League appearances: Robin Zentner (32), Finn Dahmen (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Robin Zentner (67%), Finn Dahmen (50%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 10 (3rd)
⚽ Goals conceded: 45 (4th)
✅ Penalties saved: Robin Zentner (1/5), Finn Dahmen (0/1)
Robin Zentner wasn’t at his best for Mainz last season, but the club isn’t looking to switch it up for the 22/23 season and might even offer him a contract extension soon. That is bad news for Finn Dahmen, who has been waiting for his chance on the sidelines, and it is highly likely that he leaves the club on loan this season (Source: Kicker). One of the teams interested in signing him is Schalke, but there are other contenders ahead of him in the race as it stands (Source: Tag24).
Hoffenheim
🔄 League appearances: Oliver Baumann (32), Phillip Pentke (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Oliver Baumann (64.3%), Phillip Pentke (57.1%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 8 (7th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 60 (15th)
✅ Penalties saved: Oliver Baumann (1/4)
Oliver Baumann is one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the league and pretty much a club legend, so Hoffenheim were more than happy to offer him a contract extension till 2024. That being said, the club might want to focus on signing new defenders after conceding 60 goals and possibly losing Florian Grillitsch and David Raum. Second-choice Phillip Pentke spent a large part of last season with the second team, so Germany’s U-21 international Luca Philipp can be expected to be second in line next season.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
🔄 League appearances: Yann Sommer (33), Tobias Sippel (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Yann Sommer (67.4%), Tobias Sippel (66.7%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 5 (16th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 61 (16th)
✅ Penalties saved: Yann Sommer (2/5)
Yann Sommer, Borussia and Switzerland’s #1, has been one of the league’s best keepers over the last few years. While rumors from talkSport link him to Wolves and Newcastle in the Premier League, there isn’t anything concrete yet. However, his backup, Tobias Sippel, is very likely to leave the club. He was supposed to return to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the second division, where he started his career before his move was hijacked by Luthe, also a former Kaiserslautern player. If he leaves, Borussia might look to sign a new backup or promote Moritz Nicolas, who just returned from loan with Viktoria Köln in the 3. Liga, and signed a contract extension till 2026.
Eintracht Frankfurt
🔄 League appearances: Kevin Trapp (32), Diant Ramaj (1), Jens Grahl (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Kevin Trapp (72.9%), Diant Ramaj (75%), Jens Grahl (50%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 5 (17th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 49 (7th)
✅ Penalties saved: Kevin Trapp (0/4)
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Kevin Trapp had one of the most successful seasons of his career in 21/22. He was one of the standout German keepers in the Bundesliga, which earned him a call-up to the NT and possibly a spot in the World Cup, and he finished the season as the Europa League champion, so he will be excited at the prospect of playing Champions League football again next season.
Arguably the club’s brightest goalkeeping prospect, Diant Ramaj, has signed a contract extension that extends his stay from 2024 to 2027, so the club clearly has plans for him in the long term, and the German U20 national is expected to be the first place eventually someday. But since he is recovering from an injury that has kept him out for months, it is difficult to say whether he will be loaned out or not. If Ramaj doesn’t leave the club, he will be the second choice behind Trapp, with Jens Grahl supporting him as the third choice.
Wolfsburg
🔄 League appearances: Koen Casteels (28), Pavao Pervan (6)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Koen Casteels (66.7%), Pavao Pervan (63.9%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 11 (1st)
⚽ Goals conceded: 54 (12th)
✅ Penalties saved: Koen Casteels (2/6), Pavao Pervan (0/1)
Wolfsburg had an incredibly disappointing season going from being a Champions League team to relegation contenders in just one year but with former Bayern coach Niko Kovač taking over the reins at the Volkswagen Arena, there is a strong sense of optimism heading into the new season. Surprisingly, the team managed to keep the most cleansheets in the league (tied with Bayern) despite conceding 54 goals, and they have Koen Casteels to thank for that. He is one of the league’s most underrated keepers and will continue to be the main man between the sticks for Wolfsburg.
Second-choice Pavao Pervan isn’t that bad either and is worth a shout if you want a backup keeper on Sorare that will start a few games throughout the season. He has started in 6,2,8, and 9 games over the last four seasons, so it seems almost guaranteed that he will start at least a couple of games next season.
VfL Bochum
🔄 League appearances: Manuel Riemann (31), Michael Esser (3)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Manuel Riemann (71.8%), Michael Esser (72.2%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 7 (10th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 52 (10th)
✅ Penalties saved: Manuel Riemann (2/6), Michael Esser (0/2)
Few expected newly-promoted Bochum to survive after losing star player Robert Zulj for just $400K. They struggled to score goals throughout the season, but the defence, especially Manuel Riemann, stepped up massively to help them avoid relegation. He is the club’s best player and was even rewarded with a contract extension till 2025 with a big pay raise, so there is no threat to his place in the starting XI next season.
His backup will be Michael Esser, who is probably the most affordable backup keeper from the Bundesliga on Sorare. Esser’s limited card costs just €5.07 or 0.0040 ETH, and his rare card has a value of €51.76 or 0.0308 ETH right now, so he could be a great bargain if you want a backup keeper for your limited or threshold teams. It is worth noting that his contract expires in next year.
FC Augsburg
🔄 League appearances: Rafał Gikiewicz (34)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Rafał Gikiewicz (66.4%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 9 (6th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 56 (15th)
✅ Penalties saved: Rafał Gikiewicz (0/5)
The goalkeeper situation at Augsburg is a bit complex. First-choice goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz started in every single Bundesliga game last season and was heavily backed by head coach Markus Weinzierl, who decided to step down this summer. He is expected to be the #1 for next season, but any change depends on the new coach Enrico Maaßen who joins from BVB II. Gikiewicz is also the cheapest starting Bundesliga keeper you can buy right now. It costs €42.84 or 0.0357 ETH for his limited card and €541 or 0.4366 ETH for his rare.
However, him getting all the game time puts pressure on the club to do something about Tomáš Koubek. He is the club’s third most expensive signing at €8M but hasn’t played a single game since June 2020-the 34th matchday of the season. His contract runs till 2024, and the club will want to do something about his high salary. There are rumors that he could be sent on loan, and as recently as a few weeks ago, there were reports that RC Lens in Ligue 1 are interested in securing his services as they desperately search for a new keeper. As it stands, it is more likely that Nottingham Forests’ Brice Samba will join up with his former goalkeeping coach at Caen, Hervé Sekli, at Lens (Source: GFFN). Augsburg have also been linked with Rakow goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic (Source: The Herald Scotland).
VfB Stuttgart
🔄 League appearances: Florian Müller (30), Fabian Bredlow (4)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Florian Müller (63.6%), Fabian Bredlow (70.8%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 4 (17th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 59 (14th)
✅ Penalties saved: Florian Müller (0/4)
The goalkeeper situation at Stuttgart is more straightforward than most clubs. Die Schwaben are content with both the first choice Florian Müller and backup Fabian Bredlow, and they will keep giving each other a tough competition next season. After a season full of injuries, the defence is expected to improve, with many key players returning for a start. Of course, that also depends on whether Mavropanos and Sosa get a big move this summer.
Hertha BSC
🔄 League appearances: Alexander Schwolow (24), Marcel Lotka (10), Oliver Christensen (2, relegation playoff)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Alexander Schwolow (61.7%), Marcel Lotka (61.4%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 6 (6th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 71 (17th)
✅ Penalties saved: Alexander Schwolow (0/5), Marcel Lotka (0/3)
After two disappointing years at the big city club for #1 Alexander Schwolow, Hertha are looking to cut their losses with Schalke interested in loaning him with an option to purchase. Marcel Lotka has also left the club to fight for a spot at Borussia Dortmund, paving the way for Denmark U-21 national Oliver Christensen to become the first choice for next season, though it isn’t confirmed as the club is still linked with Stefan Ortega and Timo Horn (Source: Ligainsider).
Christensen was as cheap as €25 (limited) and €225 (rare) when Hertha were 1-0 down on aggregate after the first leg of the relegation playoff, but his price has skyrocketed since then and rightly so. As for his backup, it is yet to be seen who it could be. Rune Jarstein is still at the club and has a contract till 2023.
Update: Hertha are about to sign Tjark Ernst from Bochum but reports say that he is being considered for the U-23 side for now.
Second update: Hertha have signed Tjark Ernst and he will be playing for the U-23 side. The club also handed 17-year-old Robert Kwasigroch his first professional contract and he will be competing with Ernst for the U-23s. It is also expected that Hertha terminate club legend Rune Jarstein‘s contract before the season begins (Source: Ligainsider/Kicker).
Promoted Bundesliga Teams
FC Schalke
🔄 League appearances: Martin Fraisl (26), Ralf Fährmann (6), Michael Langer (2)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Martin Fraisl (67.7%), Ralf Fährmann (69%), Michael Langer (62.5%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 10 (4th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 44 (4th)
✅ Penalties saved: Martin Fraisl (0/1), Michael Langer (1/1)
Club legend Ralf Fährmann was replaced by Martin Fraisl after a string of disappointing performances and might not keep his spot ahead of next season with the club interested in Ortega and Schwolow. The latter seems more likely to join (Source: Bulinews). Despite an impressive season, Fraisl wasn’t offered a contract by Schalke and has been linked with Norwich as well as Rangers, with The Gers looking to replace 40-year-old Allan McGregor (Source: Spox). Third choice Michael Langer has also signed a contract extension for another year and will continue as a backup in the Bundesliga next season.
Update: Schalke have signed Alexander Schwolow on loan for next season without a purchase option.
Werder Bremen
🔄 League appearances: Jiri Pavlenka (23), Michael Zetterer (11)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Jiri Pavlenka (73.6%), Michael Zetterer (61.9%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 9 (5th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 43 (3rd)
✅ Penalties saved: Jiri Pavlenka (1/3), Michael Zetterer (0/1)
Michael Zetterer was the go-to keeper at the start of the season but despite losing his spot to Jiri Pavlenka after 11 games, seems content to be his backup again in the Bundesliga next season. Pavlenka is even expected to sign a contract extension with Werder Bremen soon and the club will be pretty happy with their defence after signing Pieper and Stark with top-flight experience and also signing star defender Veljković to a contract extension.
Relegated Bundesliga Teams
Arminia Bielefeld
🔄 League appearances: Stefan Ortega (33), Stefanos Kapino (1)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Stefan Ortega (73.3%), Stefanos Kapino (100%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 7 (10th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 53 (8th)
✅ Penalties saved: Stefan Ortega (0/7)
Arminia were in a good position to avoid relegation for most of the season, but a bad run of form where they went winless for 11 games meant they missed out on a playoff spot and were automatically relegated. Their best player and first-choice goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, has been linked with a move away ever since his first season in the Bundesliga, when he was instrumental in keeping the club up.
Now that the team has finally been relegated, Ortega is almost guaranteed to leave the club. He was first linked with Bayern, PSV, Union Berlin, Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, but those rumours have died down. Hertha is one of the teams currently interested in him, but it looks like newly promoted Schalke are the most likely team to sign him for the upcoming season if he doesn’t extend his contract (Source: Bulinews). In his place, Stefanos Kapino will finally be the go-to player between the sticks for The Blues in the second division, which isn’t covered on Sorare.
Greuther Fürth
🔄 League appearances: Sascha Burchert (14), Andreas Linde (12), Marius Funk (8)
🧤 Shot saved percentage: Sascha Burchert (63.8%), Andreas Linde (62.3%), Marius Funk (46.2%)
⛔ Club cleansheets: 6 (13th)
⚽ Goals conceded: 82 (18th)
✅ Penalties saved: Sascha Burchert (0/3), Andreas Linde (0/1), Marius Funk (0/2)
Fürth had by far the worst defence in the league and even a late improvement towards the end of the season saw them finish with 82 goals conceded which was almost as bad as Schalke in 20/21 (86). The club also had a bit of a merry-go-round with keepers as first-choice Sascha Burchert had a long-term injury, followed by his backup Marius Funk suffering a long-term injury himself, forcing the club to sign Andreas Linde who solidified his position as the #1. Funk has already left the club to join Ingolstadt in the third division, and the club wants Linde to be their starting keeper in the 2. Bundesliga. It depends on whether Linde leaves the club, in which case the club will offer a contract extension to Burchert (Source: Fussball Transfers/Kicker).
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