Robert Andrich (born 22 September 1994) is a German professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Bayer Leverkusen, whom he captains, and the Germany national team.
Andrich started his career at FV Turbine Potsdam and moved to Hertha BSC in 2003. He played for Hertha's youth teams in the Under 17 Bundesliga and Under 19 Bundesliga. Starting from the 2012âÂÂ13 season, he played for Hertha's second team in the Regionalliga Nordost, the fourth tier of German football. He was also included in Hertha's first team squad twice during the 2012âÂÂ13 season, but did not make an appearance. In March 2013, he signed a professional contract until June 2015, but did not make any competitive appearances for the first team.
In February 2015, Andrich moved to 3. Liga side Dynamo Dresden, where he signed a contract until June 2017. He made his debut in professional football on 7 February 2016 in a 1âÂÂ0 defeat against Rot-WeiàErfurt. On 19 March 2016, he scored his first goal for Dresden in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Hansa Rostock. After only appearing in eight league matches in the 2015âÂÂ16 season, he left Dresden and moved to 3. Liga rivals SV Wehen Wiesbaden in June 2016. In January 2018, it was announced that Andrich would join 2. Bundesliga team 1. FC Heidenheim for the 2018âÂÂ19 season. He scored his first goal in the 2. Bundesliga in a 2âÂÂ1 away win against Arminia Bielefeld on 22 December 2018.
For the 2019âÂÂ20 season, he moved to newly-promoted Bundesliga side Union Berlin, where he signed a contract until 30 June 2022. He made his debut in Germany's top flight on 18 August 2019 in a 4âÂÂ0 home defeat against RB Leipzig. He scored his first Bundesliga goal on 7 June 2020 in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Schalke 04. In total, he appeared in 59 league matches for Union, scoring six goals.
After two seasons with Union Berlin, Andrich moved to fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2021, signing a five-year-contract until 2026. On 13 September 2022, he scored his first Champions League goal in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Atlético Madrid during the 2022âÂÂ23 season. In May 2023, Andrich suffered a fracture to his foot, bringing his 2022âÂÂ23 season to a premature end.
On 27 April 2024, he scored a goal in the 96th minute of stoppage time in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against VfB Stuttgart, to extend Leverkusen's unbeaten streak in all competitions in their 2023âÂÂ24 season. A few days later, on 2 May, he scored from outside the penalty area in a 2âÂÂ0 away win over Roma in the Europa League semi-final first leg. At the end of the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Andrich won the Bundesliga title and the German Cup with Leverkusen and also reached the Europa League final, in which his team lost 3âÂÂ0 to Atalanta. On 16 August 2024, he extended his contract with Leverkusen until 2028. He was named as club's captain ahead of the 2025âÂÂ26 season, succeeding Lukas Hradecky.
Andrich played for German youth national teams between 2011 and 2013.
In October 2023, he received his first call-up to the German senior national team for two friendly matches against the United States and Mexico. Later that year, on 21 November, he made his international debut in a friendly match against Austria.
Andrich was named in Germany's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He appeared in all five of Germany's matches at the tournament until their elimination in the quarter-finals against Spain. His potential first international goal against Switzerland in the final group stage match of the tournament was disallowed by VAR, because his teammate Jamal Musiala committed a foul just before he took the shot from outside the box against Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Andrich's uncle was also a footballer who played in the DDR-Oberliga.
Andrich is married since 2019 and has two children with his wife Alicia.
Dynamo Dresden
Wehen Wiesbaden
Bayer Leverkusen