Jan Kirchhoff

**Jan Tilman Kirchhoff** born 1 October 1990) is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder.

## Club career

### Mainz 05

Kirchhoff made his professional debut in the 2. Bundesliga for 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 2 November 2008, when he started in a game against Rot Weiss Ahlen. He has been regarded as one of the most talented defenders in the Bundesliga.[4]

### Bayern Munich

On 4 January 2013, Kirchhoff signed a pre-contract with Bayern Munich, agreeing to join them for the 2013–14 season as a free agent.[5]

#### Schalke 04 (loan)

On 27 December 2013, Kirchhoff joined fellow Bundesliga side Schalke 04 on a one-and-a-half year loan until 30 June 2015.[6][7]

### Sunderland

Kirchhoff (left) playing for Sunderland against Chelsea in May 2016

On 7 January 2016, Kirchhoff signed an 18-month contract[8] with Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.[9] On 16 January 2016, Kirchhoff made his debut for Sunderland as a 59th-minute substitute.[10]
 Kirchhoff made a poor start as he deflected a shot from Christian
Eriksen which led to a goal, and conceded a penalty with a foul on Danny
 Rose.[11] The German was then deployed mainly as a defensive midfielder and earned plaudits due to his precise tackling and passing.[12] Kirchhoff was voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for April for his performances as Sunderland fought against relegation.[13] Kirchhoff's efforts paid off as Sunderland managed to survive relegation thanks to a 3–0 win over Everton on 11 May 2016 with goals coming from defenders Patrick van Aanholt and a brace from Lamine Koné.[14]

Kirchhoff left Sunderland when his contract expired at the end of the 2016–17 season.[15]

### Bolton Wanderers

On 22 February 2018, following a trial, Kirchhoff signed a contract with Championship side Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.[16] He made his debut for Bolton as a second-half substitute for Jem Karacan in a 1–3 loss against local rivals, Preston North End, on 3 March 2018.[17] On 24 May 2018, Bolton confirmed that Kirchhoff would leave the club on 30 June when his contract came to an end.[18]

## International career

On 13 November 2007, Kirchhoff debuted for the Germany national U18 football team coming on in the 72nd minute of the match in a 4–0 win over Republic of Ireland U18s. On 7 September 2008, he debuted for the Germany national U19 football team in a 5–0 win over Czech Republic U19s. Kirchhoff scored his first U19 goal on 11 October 2008 in the 55th minute of the match in a 5–0 win over Lithuania U19s. On 3 September 2009, he debuted for the Germany U21s in a 1–1 draw against Czech Republic U21s
 and scored his first U21 goal in the 72nd minute. In 2012, Kirchhoff
participated with the U21 team as an important squad member and the
team's vice-captain in the 2013 UEFA European U21 Championship qualification, but due to injury he could not take part in the 2013 UEFA European U21 Championship.[19]

## Personal life

Kirchhoff's brother Benjamin Kirchhoff is also a professional football defender who plays for Kickers Offenbach.[20] Kirchhoff's father Theo Kirchhoff is a former footballer who played for German club VfL Germania Leer.[21]