Michael Steinwender

Michael Steinwender (born 4 May 2000) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian.

Michael Steinwender

Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-05-04) 4 May 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Eisenstadt, Austria
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Heart of Midlothian
Number	15
Youth career
2004–2011	Baumgarten
2011–2013	Rapid Wien
2013–2014	Mattersburg
2014–2017	AKA Burgenland
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2020	Mattersburg II	64	(5)
2018–2020	Mattersburg	4	(0)
2020–2021	St. Pölten	31	(0)
2021–2024	Hartberg	62	(0)
2024–2025	IFK Värnamo	17	(1)
2025–	Heart of Midlothian	9	(1)
International career
2017	Austria U18	2	(0)
2018	Austria U19	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 April 2025

Career

Steinwender is a product of the youth academies of Baumgarten, Rapid Wien, Mattersburg and AKA Burgenland. He began his senior career with the reserves of Mattersburg in 2017. He made his professional debut with Mattersburg in a 2–0 Austrian Football Bundesliga win over St. Pölten on 20 June 2020.^[1] On 19 August 2020, he transferred to St. Pölten, signing a 3-year contract.^[2] On 31 August 2021, he moved to Hartberg, again signing a 3-year contract.^[3]

Hearts

On 21 January 2025, Steinwender joined Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.^[4]

International career

Steinwender is a youth international for Austria, having represented the Austria U18s and U19s.^[5]