Ron-Robert Zieler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ron-Robert Zieler

Zieler with VfB Stuttgart in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth	(1989-02-12) 12 February 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Cologne, West Germany
Height	1.88 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Hannover 96
Number	1
Youth career
1994–1999	SCB Viktoria Köln
1999–2005	1. FC Köln
2005–2008	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2008–2010	Manchester United	0	(0)
2008–2009	→ Northampton Town (loan)	2	(0)
2010–2011	Hannover 96 II	15	(0)
2010–2016	Hannover 96	185	(0)
2016–2017	Leicester City	9	(0)
2017–2019	VfB Stuttgart	68	(0)
2019–	Hannover 96	141	(0)
2020–2021	→ 1. FC Köln (loan)	1	(0)
National team
2004–2005	Germany U16	5	(0)
2005–2006	Germany U17	11	(0)
2007	Germany U18	1	(0)
2008	Germany U19	10	(0)
2009	Germany U20	5	(0)
2011–2015	Germany	6	(0)
Honours Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 2014 Brazil UEFA European Under-19 Championship Winner 2008 Czech Republic
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 December 2024. † Appearances (Goals).

Ron-Robert Zieler (born on 12 February 1989) is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96. He played for the German national team six times between 2011 and 2015.

Ron-Robert started his professional career at Manchester United. He didn't play in any main matches there. Instead, he made his debut while on loan at Northampton Town. In 2010, he moved to Hannover 96. He played 221 professional games for them over six seasons. He was so consistent that he didn't miss a single Bundesliga game in his last five seasons there. After one season with Leicester City, Zieler joined VfB Stuttgart in 2017.

As a young player, Zieler represented Germany at different age levels. He helped the German Under-19 team win the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He played his first senior international game in 2011. He was also part of the German squads that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2012 and won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ron-Robert Zieler's Club Journey

Starting Out in Football

Ron-Robert Zieler was born in Cologne, Germany. He began his football journey with his local club, SCB Viktoria Köln. In 2001, he joined 1. FC Köln. In July 2005, he moved to England to train with Manchester United. By this time, Zieler had finished his school education in Germany.

Time at Manchester United

In his first year at Manchester United, Zieler played 22 games for the Under-18 team. He also sat on the bench for 11 reserve team matches. He even earned a winner's medal in the Manchester Senior Cup. The next season, he shared goalkeeping duties for the Under-18s. He also played his first game for the reserve team on 15 March 2007.

The 2007–08 season saw Zieler become a full member of the reserve team. He and another goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, shared most of the games. In May 2008, Zieler won another Manchester Senior Cup medal. He played the whole game and kept a clean sheet. He also played in the Lancashire Senior Cup final in July 2008.

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Zieler received his first team squad number, 38. He was on the bench for a main team game for the first time on 23 September 2008. This was during a 3–1 League Cup win against Middlesbrough.

Loan to Northampton Town

On 28 November 2008, Zieler was loaned to Northampton Town. This was to cover for their main goalkeeper. His loan was extended several times.

Zieler played his first game for Northampton Town on 21 February 2009. He played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home loss. He played again three days later in a 1–1 draw. He then returned to Manchester United on 26 February. Loans outside the transfer window can only last a maximum of 93 days.

Back at Manchester United

After returning to Manchester United, Zieler went back to playing for the reserve team. In a match on 30 March 2009, he broke his arm. This happened after he collided with an opposing player. He returned to play in the 2009–10 pre-season. However, he found it hard to get back his regular spot in the reserve team.

Playing for Hannover 96

Zieler training at Hannover 96

On 22 April 2010, after a trial, Zieler signed a two-year contract with German club Hannover 96. The contract started on 1 July 2010. He was given the number 20 shirt.

His good performances for Hannover 96 II (the reserve team) led to him joining the first team. He made his Bundesliga debut on 16 January 2011. He kept a clean sheet as his team won 3–0. After his debut, he became the main goalkeeper for the rest of the season. However, Zieler suffered a shoulder injury on 11 March 2011. He returned to the first team on 9 April 2011. Zieler played fifteen games for the club in his first season.

Before the 2011–12 season, Zieler signed a contract extension until June 2015. He also switched to the number 1 shirt. In the 2011–12 season, Zieler played his first Europa League game. He helped his team win against Sevilla and reach the group stage. Zieler remained the club's main goalkeeper that season. He played 4410 minutes in all competitions.

In the 2012–13 season, Zieler started well. He saved two penalties in a shootout in the DFB-Pokal cup. Hannover won and moved to the next round. Zieler continued to be the main goalkeeper. He played 4440 minutes in all competitions that season.

Before the 2013–14 season, there were rumors Zieler might return to England. However, Hannover wanted to keep him. Zieler stayed at the club. He kept a clean sheet in the first game of the season. On 21 December 2013, Zieler played his 100th league game for the club. He continued to be the main goalkeeper, playing 3240 minutes.

Before the 2014–15 season, Hannover wanted to extend Zieler's contract. On 9 August 2014, Zieler signed a new contract until 2017. On 29 November 2014, Zieler made his 120th appearance. This broke a club record for consecutive appearances. He kept a clean sheet on 16 December 2014, ending a losing streak. Zieler remained the main goalkeeper, playing 3240 minutes.

Zieler being interviewed at Neue Bult in 2015.

Before the 2015–16 season, the new manager thought Zieler might become the team captain. However, Christian Schulz was chosen instead. Zieler captained Hannover for the first time on 12 September 2015. On 1 November 2015, Zieler broke another club record. He played his 153rd game, passing Hans-Josef Hellingrath's record. Zieler captained Hannover ten more times that season. However, he could not stop the club from being relegated. Despite this, Zieler remained the main goalkeeper.

On 16 April 2016, it was announced that Zieler would leave the club. He wanted to keep playing top-level football. Zieler was linked with other big clubs.

During his time at Hannover 96, Zieler played in every league game for five seasons. He faced more shots than almost any other goalkeeper in the 2015–16 Bundesliga season. He made 148 saves that year.

Joining Leicester City

On 3 June 2016, Zieler returned to England. He signed a four-year deal with Leicester City, who were the champions at the time. He said the chance to join the English champions and play in the Champions League was too good to miss. He was given the number 21 shirt. Zieler played his first game for Leicester on 27 August 2016. He came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. However, he only made 13 appearances for Leicester. He couldn't become the main goalkeeper over Kasper Schmeichel. After just one season, Leicester sold Zieler to VfB Stuttgart.

Time at VfB Stuttgart

On 11 July 2017, Zieler signed a three-year contract with VfB Stuttgart. They had just been promoted to the Bundesliga. In his first season, the team did well, finishing 7th. Zieler started every match. During his second season, Stuttgart struggled a lot. They finished 16th and were relegated after losing in the play-offs. Zieler again started every match, but it was a tough season for him. In one game, he accidentally touched the ball after a throw-in, causing an own goal. This moment got a lot of attention. Stuttgart still won that game.

Back to Hannover 96

After being relegated, Stuttgart decided to change their goalkeeping position. In June 2019, it was announced that Zieler would return to Hannover 96. Hannover had also been relegated that season. The club had a difficult 2019–20 season. They failed to return to the Bundesliga. Zieler was the starting goalkeeper for most of the year. However, he fell out of favor with the manager. In August 2020, the club announced he was no longer in their first-team plans.

Loan to 1. FC Köln

Since Hannover 96 made it clear Zieler wouldn't play for them, his former youth club 1. FC Köln became interested. On 13 August, the club announced they had signed Zieler on a one-year loan.

Ron-Robert Zieler's International Career

Zieler playing for the national team against Ukraine on 11 November 2011.

In 2008, Zieler was the goalkeeper for the German under-19 team. They won the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He also played with the U-20 team in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He was called up to the senior squad in August 2011. He didn't play in a game at first.

On 11 November 2011, 22-year-old Zieler played his first game for the senior team. It was a 3–3 draw against Ukraine. He was the 50th player to make their debut under coach Joachim Löw. He let in three goals in the first half. However, observers said it wasn't his fault. In the second half, he made some great saves. He was the first German goalkeeper since 1954 to let in three or more goals in his first national team game.

On 28 May 2012, Zieler was chosen as the third goalkeeper for the German squad. This was for the 2012 European Championship. He was a back-up as they reached the semi-finals. On 15 August 2012, he started in a friendly match against Argentina. He was sent off, becoming the first German goalkeeper to get a red card. He was sent off for a foul that led to a penalty. However, the replacement goalkeeper saved the penalty.

On 2 June 2014, Zieler was again named the third goalkeeper for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was a back-up as Germany reached the final and won the World Cup for the fourth time. However, he was not included in the squad for the 2016 European Championship.

Personal Life

On New Year's Eve 2015, Zieler was in Dubai. He was on the 12th floor of a building when a fire broke out. He escaped safely.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Awards and Achievements

Germany U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2008

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 2014

See also

In Spanish: Ron-Robert Zieler para niños