Many interesting storylines emerged from Friday night’s Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin. Perhaps chief among them, however, was the unexpected Bundesliga debut of 32-year-old third string Union keeper Carl Klaus. A first half injury to FCU No. 1 forced Klaus onto the pitch in the 31st-minute. Klaus has spoken on his impromptu foray into German top flight football.
Who is Carl Klaus?
The Stuttgart native played at MTV Stuttgart before briefly working in the VfB Stuttgart academy and ultimately moving to the VfL Wolfsburg ranks. After a couple of seasons working with the Wolfsburg reserves, Klaus returned to his hometown to represent Stuttgart’s Degerloch club – the Stuttgarter Kickers – in the 3. Liga. He made 12 appearances for the Kickers during the 2015/16 3. Liga season.
Klaus then moved to Mallorca and spent three seasons with Atlético Baleares in the Spanish Segunda. His professional journey would eventually then lead back to Germany. Klaus spent four seasons as a 2. Bundesliga backup at Darmstadt and Nürnberg before finally serving as Nürnberg’s No. 1 during the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign.
Klaus’ rise at der Klub coincided with the ten-year-anniversary of the year he turned pro. Ahead of the 2024/25 season, he nevertheless opted to join top flight Union on a free despite the fact that he had little playing prospects behind Rønnow and experienced German back-up Alexander Schwolow. Klaus made the FCU matchday squad on eight occasions, yet remained on the bench.
Schwolow moved to Scotland this past summer, but Klaus still had little reason to expect any action thanks to the fact that Union head coach Steffen Buamgart brought in his former Hamburger SV keeper Matheo Raab to spice up the goalkeeping race. Klaus only made one matchday squad during the first half of the current 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
A hand injury ultimately forced Raab out of action, meaning that Klaus dressed for the last six consecutive league fixtures. Despite the fact that he was just one step away from the pitch, Klaus had to make some quick adjustments when Rønnow unexpectedly incurred injury during a first half goal-kick.
Klaus speaks on his Bundesliga debut
“He [Rønnow] was screaming so loudly that it was clear I would be coming in,” Klaus remarked in the mixed zone. “I just wanted to play it safe and not do anything crazy. That was important to me. I’m personally satisfied with my performance.
“The adrenaline carries you through until halftime,” Klaus said of his first quarter-of-an-hour of play. “In the locker room, you realize for the first time that you’re tending goal in the Bundesliga for the first time. That’s when you have to stand your ground.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
