Niklas Dorsch

Niklas Bernd Dorsch (born 15 January 1998) is a German professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Bundesliga club 1. FC Heidenheim.^[3]

Niklas Dorsch

Dorsch with Gent in 2020
Personal information
Full name	Niklas Bernd Dorsch[1]
Date of birth	(1998-01-15) 15 January 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Lichtenfels, Germany
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	1. FC Heidenheim
Number	30
Youth career
2002–2006	1. FC Baiersdorf
2006–2009	DTFS Rehau
2009–2012	1. FC Nürnberg
2012–2018	Bayern Munich
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2018	Bayern Munich II	60	(7)
2016–2018	Bayern Munich	1	(1)
2018–2020	1. FC Heidenheim	62	(3)
2020–2021	Gent	33	(3)
2021–2024	FC Augsburg	63	(1)
2024–	1. FC Heidenheim	19	(2)
International career‡
2012	Germany U15	1	(0)
2014–2015	Germany U17	15	(0)
2016	Germany U19	2	(0)
2018–2019	Germany U20	6	(0)
2019–2021	Germany U21	13	(1)
Medal record Representing  Germany UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2021
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:55, 6 June 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Bayern Munich

On 2 September 2015, Dorsch signed a one-year apprentice contract, lasting until 30 June 2016, followed by a two-year full professional contract from 1 July 2016 until 30 June 2018.^[4]

In the 2015–16 season, Dorsch joined the squad of Bayern Munich II, making his debut in the Regionalliga Bayern on 5 March 2016 in a 0–1 away loss against Wacker Burghausen.^[5] Dorsch scored his first goal for the reserve team in the first match of the 2016–17 season on 17 July 2016, opening the scoring in the 7th minute of the 2–1 home win against FV Illertissen.^[6] The following season, Dorsch became captain of the second team.^[7]

In the 2017–18 season, Dorsch made his Bundesliga debut for the first team on 28 April 2018 in a 4–1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Dorsch opened the scoring in the 43rd minute via an assist from Sandro Wagner.^[8]

1. FC Heidenheim

On 23 May 2018, Dorsch moved to 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Heidenheim on a free transfer, with a three-year contract lasting until 30 June 2021.^[9]

Gent

On 22 July 2020, Dorsch joined Belgian First Division A side K.A.A. Gent, signing a four-year contract.^[10][11]

FC Augsburg

On 8 July 2021, Dorsch joined Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, signing a five-year contract until 30 June 2026.^[12]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 May 2025^[3]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bayern Munich II	2015–16	Regionalliga Bayern	6	0	—		—		—		6	0
	2016–17		24	3	—		—		—		24	3
	2017–18		31	4	—		—		—		31	4
	Total		61	7	—		—		—		61	7
Bayern Munich	2017–18	Bundesliga	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
1. FC Heidenheim	2018–19	2. Bundesliga	30	2	3	0	—		—		33	2
	2019–20		32	1	2	0	—		2[a]	0	36	1
	Total		62	3	5	0	—		2	0	69	3
Gent	2020–21	Belgian First Division A	33	3	2	0	8[b]	1	0	0	43	4
FC Augsburg	2021–22	Bundesliga	30	1	1	0	—		—		31	1
	2022–23		11	0	0	0	—		—		11	0
	2023–24		21	0	1	0	—		—		22	0
	2024–25		1	0	1	0	—		—		2	0
	Total		63	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	66	1
1. FC Heidenheim	2024–25	Bundesliga	19	2	1	0	4[c]	0	—		24	2
Career total			239	17	10	0	12	1	2	0	264	18

1. Appearances in Bundesliga promotion play-offs
2. Three appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearances in UEFA Conference League

Honours

Germany U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2021^[13]

Individual

• Fritz Walter Medal U17 Silver: 2015^[14]
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2021^[15]
• Bundesliga Goal of the Month: December 2021^[16]

Notes