Stefan Klos

Stefan Klos (born 16 August 1971) is a German former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Stefan Klos
Klos in 2005
Personal information
Full name Stefan Klos
Date of birth (1971-08-16) 16 August 1971
Place of birth Dortmund, West Germany
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
TuS Eving-Lindenhorst
Eintracht Dortmund
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1998 Borussia Dortmund 254 (0)
1998–2007 Rangers 208 (0)
Total 462 (0)
National team
1991–1993 Germany U21 17 (0)
1992 Germany U23 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

His seventeen-year career was spent with Borussia Dortmund and Rangers. He won thirteen major trophies in total, including four Scottish Premier League titles and the 1997 Champions League.

Club career

Borussia Dortmund

Born in Dortmund, Klos arrived at Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 1990, from neighbouring TSC Eintracht Dortmund. He made his Bundesliga debut on 4 May 1991 at only 19, in a 2–2 home draw against SG Wattenscheid 09.

From 1991–92 onwards, Klos became the undisputed starter, relegating longtime first choice Wolfgang de Beer to the bench. He took part in 31 games for the runners-up during that season, and Die Borussen went on to win back-to-back national championships during his spell.

In addition to playing every match in 1996–97 for the third-placed team, Klos added 11 in that season's UEFA Champions League as they won the tournament for the first time ever.[1] He left the club with more than 350 official appearances.

Rangers

On 24 December 1998, Klos signed with Scottish club Rangers on a contract that made him one of the highest-earning players in Europe.[2] He replaced Lionel Charbonnier as first-choice and was nicknamed 'Der Goalie', a play on Andy Goram's 'The Goalie' moniker.[3] He won his first Scottish Premier League title that season.

In a match against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle Park during 2000–01, Klos produced an outstanding performance: as both Arthur Numan and Claudio Reyna were sent off for the away side he made several crucial saves in a 1–0 win, courtesy of a Jörg Albertz penalty; Celtic won the league, however.[4]

In the 2002–03 season, Rangers won the treble, with Klos again the undisputed starter. He was appointed team captain in July 2004,[5] but six months later picked up a knee ligament injury in training,[6] missing the remainder of the campaign and being replaced by Ronald Waterreus.[7] The Dutchman retained his place even after Klos regained full fitness.

Klos looked set to challenge new signing Lionel Letizi after Paul Le Guen's arrival at the start of 2006–07, but he suffered a biking injury which gave long-term third choice Allan McGregor the chance to play.[8] On 22 February 2007, he made his first appearance of the season for the first team against Hapoel Tel Aviv FC in the round of 32 of the UEFA Cup, after McGregor was sent off (4–0 home win).[9][10]

Klos left Rangers at the end of the season after eight and a half years, having appeared in 298 games across all competitions.[11] He retired at the age of 36,[11] and subsequently settled in Switzerland.[12]

In 2009, Klos was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.[13]

Honours

Club

Borussia Dortmund

Rangers

References
  1. "Dortmunder Helden – Was machen die Champions-League-Sieger von 1997 heute?" [Dortmund heroes – What are the Champions League winners of 1997 up to today?]. Hamburger Morgenpost (in German). 28 May 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  2. Duncan, Colin (26 May 2012). "Rangers in crisis: Contract shows Stefan Klos paid same as David Beckham". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  3. "A sequel to Rangers' Klos encounter: McGregor handed the German role by Alexander". Daily Mail. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. "The Top Ten: Saves". Rangers F.C. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  5. "Klos new captain for Gers". BBC Sport. 17 July 2004. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  6. "Klos out for rest of the season". BBC Sport. 29 January 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  7. "'Keeper Waterreus joins Rangers". BBC Sport. 31 January 2005. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  8. "Curious affair of Klos and Rangers: Why goalkeeper is back in fold but not in plans – Darryl Broadfoot reports". The Herald. 19 December 2006. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  9. "Rangers keep final dream alive". UEFA. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  10. McGuigan, Thomas (22 February 2007). "Rangers 4–0 Hapoel (agg 5–2)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  11. "Concern over Klos, Prso swansong". BBC Sport. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  12. "Der „Held von Auxerre" prüft die Kasse" [The „Hero of Auxerre“ checks the cash register] (in German). Borussia Dortmund. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  13. "Hall of Fame – Stefan Klos". Rangers F.C. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
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