Born in Höxter, North Rhine-Westphalia, von Heesen made his professional – and Bundesliga – debuts in 1980–81 with Hamburger SV, then went on to feature prominently for the club in the following two seasons, as the club won in that timeframe two leagues and the 1982–83 European Cup (during that campaign, he netted twice in just five matches, and appeared 34 minutes in the 1–0 final win against Juventus).