Lars Unnerstall
Lars Unnerstall (born 20 July 1990) is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
![]() Unnerstall with Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2014 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Lars Unnerstall | ||
Date of birth | 20 July 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Ibbenbüren, West Germany | ||
Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||
Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | PSV | ||
Number | 13 | ||
Youth career | |||
1994–2002 | SV Uffeln | ||
2002–2005 | Grün-Weiß Steinbeck | ||
2005–2008 | Preußen Münster | ||
2008–2009 | Schalke 04 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009–2011 | Schalke 04 II | 54 | (0) |
2011–2014 | Schalke 04 | 34 | (0) |
2014 | → Aarau (loan) | 16 | (0) |
2014–2017 | Fortuna Düsseldorf | 10 | (0) |
2017–2018 | VVV | 32 | (0) |
2018– | PSV | 14 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → VVV (loan) | 33 | (0) |
National team | |||
2010 | Germany U20 | 2 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 March 2020 |
Club career
Schalke 04

Born in Ibbenbüren, North Rhine-Westphalia, Unnerstall finished his development at FC Schalke 04 after joining at the age of 18.[1] In April 2010, after featuring regularly for the B-team, he signed a professional contract until 2012.[2]
For the 2011–12 season, coach Ralf Rangnick announced Unnerstall as second-choice behind Ralf Fährmann.[3] His professional debut took place on 31 July 2011, in a 11–1 away win against FC Teningen for the first round of the DFB-Pokal;[4] in October, he agreed to an extension until June 2013.[5]
On 15 October 2011, after Fährmann's ejection early in the game, Unnerstall made his Bundesliga debut, in an eventual 1–2 home defeat to 1. FC Kaiserslautern.[6] After it was revealed the former had suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury[7] he became the starter,[8] remaining as such even after the signing of veteran Timo Hildebrand[9][10][11] and earning praise from manager Huub Stevens.[12]
Before the 2012–13 campaign started, Unnerstall agreed to a new deal until 2015.[13] He continued to battle with Hildebrand for starting duties,[14][15][16] and was also first-choice during the team's run in the UEFA Champions League;[17] he also committed several mistakes in home matches, which led to fan criticism.[18][19]
During the 2013 off-season, Unnerstall was linked a move away from the club.[20][21] Nothing came of it, however, and he remained as third-choice behind Fährmann and Hildebrand.[22]
On 24 January 2014, Unnerstall was loaned to Swiss Super League side FC Aarau.[23][24] His first match took place eight days later, in a 1–1 draw against FC St. Gallen;[25] he was later chosen Player of the Month for this display.[26][27]
Fortuna Düsseldorf

On 21 May 2014, Unnerstall joined Fortuna Düsseldorf as a replacement for Fabian Giefer,[28] for a reported fee of €250,000.[29] He spent most of his tenure as backup to Michael Rensing,[30] featuring rarely in the 2. Bundesliga[31][32][33] and adding two appearances in the 2015–16 edition of the domestic cup.[34][35]
Increasingly frustrated with his lack of playing time,[36][37][38] and occasionally demoted to the reserves,[39] Unnerstall was also afflicted with pneumonia in early 2017.[40]
VVV-Venlo / PSV
In June 2017, Unnerstall signed for VVV-Venlo on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[41] On 18 May of the following year he agreed to a three-year contract at fellow Eredivisie team PSV Eindhoven, being immediately loaned to his previous club.[42]
After a series of poor performances from regular starter Jeroen Zoet in autumn 2019, Unnerstall became first choice goalkeeper for PSV.[43] He finished the season with 14 league appearances.[44]
International career
In September 2010, Unnerstall was called by the German under-20 team, appearing against Switerzland[45] and Poland the following month.[46] On 31 August 2011 he was selected to the under-21s,[47] but did not appear in any games with the latter.
Career statistics
Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Schalke 04 | 2010–11 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2011–12 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 0 | ||
2012–13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
2013–14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 47 | 0 | ||
Aarau | 2013–14 | Swiss Super League | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 | 0 | |
Düsseldorf | 2014–15 | 2. Bundesliga | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 | 0 | |
2015–16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |||
2016–17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |||
Total | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | |||
Venlo | 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 | 0 | |
2018–19 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 34 | 0 | |||
Total | 65 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 66 | 0 | |||
PSV Eindhoven | 2019–20 | Eredivisie | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
Career total | 139 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 159 | 0 |
Honours
References
- "Scherr kündigt neuen Trainer an" [Scherr announces new coach] (in German). kicker. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Kuranyi klar mit Moskau, Jendrisek kommt" [Kuranyi off to Moscow, Jendrisek comes] (in German). kicker. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "URLAUBSVERZICHT – Jetzt will Holtby auch Schalke rocken" [FOREGOING VACATION – Holtby wants to rock Schalke too now]. Bild (in German). 26 June 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Lars Unnerstall: Beim Profidebüt stört nur das Gegentor" [Lars Unnerstall: Only own goal spoiled pro debut] (in German). FC Schalke 04. 31 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- "Torhüter Lars Unnerstall verlängert Vertrag bis zum 30. Juni 2013" [Goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall extends contract until 30 June 2013] (in German). FC Schalke 04. 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- "Kouemaha besiegelt erste Stevens-Pleite" [Kouemaha seals first Stevens loss] (in German). kicker. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Hildebrand: »Schalke fühlt sich super an!" [Hildebrand: »Schalke feels great!]. Bild (in German). 22 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Farfan beschenkt sich zum 100. Bundesligaspiel" [Farfan takes part in 100th league game] (in German). kicker. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Unnerstalls Kampfansage" [Unnerstall's battle] (in German). kicker. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Unnerstalls Verletzung ist Hildebrands Chance" [Unnerstall's injury is Hildebrand's chance] (in German). kicker. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "WER WIRD DIE NUMMER 1? Sechs Fäuste für ein Schalkeluja" [WHO WILL BE NUMBER 1? Six fists for a Schalkelujah]. Bild (in German). 9 May 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Unnerstall macht Stevens froh – Hildebrand mag's harmonisch" [Unnerstall makes Stevens happy – Hildebrand likes harmony] (in German). kicker. 27 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "S04 bindet Torhüter Lars Unnerstall bis 2015" [S04 tie goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall until 2015] (in German). FC Schalke 04. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
- "Keeper Unnerstall muss abreisen" [Keeper Unnerstall must leave] (in German). kicker. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Knie verdreht: Schalke bangt um Torhüter Timo Hildebrand" [Twisted knee: Schalke fear for goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand]. Bild (in German). 31 August 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "HILDEBRAND ODER UNNERSTALL? Stevens' schwerste Derby-Entscheidung" [HILDEBRAND OR UNNERSTALL? Stevens‘ toughest derby decision]. Bild (in German). 21 October 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Huntelaar kontert Abdoun postwendend" [Huntelaar replies Abdoun on the spot] (in German). kicker. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Wer steht gegen Gladbach im Schalke-Tor?" [Who stands in Schalke's goal against Gladbach?]. Bild (in German). 30 November 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "NACH FAN-PFIFFEN GEGEN UNNERSTALL: Hildebrand in Schalkes Startelf" [FOLLOWING FAN BOOS ON UNNERSTALL: Hildebrand in Schalke's starting XI]. Bild (in German). 1 December 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Unnerstall steht auf der Torwartliste bei Energie" [Unnerstall is on the goalkeeper list at Energie] (in German). kicker. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "T-Frage: Unnerstall zögert" [T-question: Unnerstall hesitates] (in German). kicker. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "TORWART TIMO HILDEBRAND: Auf dem Sofa zu Schalkes Nummer 1" [GOALKEEPER TIMO HILDEBRAND: From the couch to Schalke's number 1]. Bild (in German). 22 November 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "DIESE 5 SOLLEN NOCH GEHEN: Die Schalke-Streichliste" [THESE 5 YET TO GO: The Schalke sweeplist]. Bild (in German). 20 January 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Schalke verleiht Unnerstall nach Aarau" [Schalke loan Unnerstall to Aarau] (in German). Deutsche Fußball Liga. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- "1:1 gegen St. Gallen auf Acker Brügglifeld – Unnerstall hält Aarau den Punkt fest" [1:1 against St. Gallen at Brügglifeld – Unnerstall gets point for Aarau]. Blick (in German). 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Unnerstall ist Fussballer des Monats" [Unnerstall is Footballer of the Month]. Blick (in German). 8 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Fussballer des Monats: FCA-Unnerstall sagt Danke!" [Footballer of the Month: FCA's Unnerstall says thanks!]. Blick (in German). 11 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Fortuna bestätigt Verpflichtung von Lars Unnerstall" [Fortuna confirm commitment of Lars Unnerstall]. Rheinische Post. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ""Bei Aufstieg lass' ich meinen Bart rot-weiß färben!"" [„When we promote let me dye my beard red and white!“]. Bild (in German). 25 May 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "UNNERSTALL UND RENSING STEHEN ABWECHSELND IM TOR: Riese Reck schafft die Nummer 1 ab!" [UNNERSTALL AND RENSING ALTERNATE IN GOAL: Giant Reck has got his number!]. Bild (in German). 21 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "FORTUNA DÜSSELDORF-TORWART LARS UNNERSTALL NACH TOP-DEBÜT GEGEN 1. FC KAISERSLAUTERN MEGA-HEISS: »Jetzt will ich auch gegen Ingolstadt in die Kiste!" [FORTUNA DÜSSELDORF-GOALKEEPER LARS UNNERSTALL RED-HOT AFTER TOP DEBUT AGAINST 1. FC KAISERSLAUTERN: »Now I want to be between the posts against Ingolstadt too!]. Bild (in German). 27 October 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Pohjanpalos Reise in die Vergangenheit – Rensing fehlt" [Pohjanpalos goes down memory lane – Rensing missing] (in German). kicker. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "0:3! Büskens blamiert Fortuna" [0:3! Büskens blames Fortuna]. Bild (in German). 4 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Düsseldorf zieht in Essen im Elfmeterschießen weiter" [Düsseldorf goes through in Essen on penalties] (in German). kicker. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "POKAL-HELD UNNERSTALL ROTIERT INS TOR ZURÜCK: Fortunas Mr. Ungeschlagen" [CUP-HERO UNNERSTALL REINSTATED IN GOAL: Fortuna's Mr. Unbeaten]. Bild (in German). 26 October 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Umstrukturierung: Fortuna peilt den Neustart an" [Restructuring: Fortuna reboots reboot] (in German). kicker. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "AB ZU LUMPI? Dresden hat Unnerstall im Visier" [JOINING LUMPI? Dresden have Unnerstall in sight]. Bild (in German). 8 June 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "LÄSST FORTUNA DEN ERSATZ-TORWART GEHEN? Unnerstall will im Winter weg" [WILL FORTUNA LET RESERVE GOALKEEPER GO? Unnerstall wants to leave in winter]. Bild (in German). 11 October 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Arianit Ferati auf dem Weg der Besserung" [Arianit Ferati down improvement's road] (in German). Fortuna Düsseldorf. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Zwei Wochen Pause für Fortuna-Keeper Unnerstall" [Two-week break for Fortuna keeper Unnerstall]. Bild (in German). 12 January 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- Dobrick, Jan (19 May 2017). "Unnerstall-Wechsel nach Venlo ist fix" [Unnerstall's move to Venlo confirmed]. Rheinische Post (in German). Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- "PSV sign goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall". PSV Eindhoven. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- Sport1.de. "PSV Eindhoven: Van Bommel hat Torwart-Zoff - Lars Unnerstall neue Nummer 1". Sport1.de (in German). Retrieved 2020-08-08.
- www.whoscored.com https://www.whoscored.com/Players/90235/History/Lars-Unnerstall. Retrieved 2020-08-08. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - "Wormuths Joker Bertram und Bellarabi stechen" [Wormuth's jokers Bertram and Bellarabi sting] (in German). kicker. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Cenk Tosun lässt Wormuth-Elf jubeln" [Cenk Tosun makes Wormuth's XI rejoice] (in German). kicker. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Auch Leitner und Sobiech fehlen Adrion" [Leitner and Sobiech are also missing Adrion] (in German). kicker. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- "L. Unnerstall". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- "Lars Unnerstall". Worldfootball. Retrieved 13 July 2017.