Sebastian Schonlau (born 5 August 1994) is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Scholau was born on 5 August 1994 in Warburg. He used to live Paderborn, and started studying economics in the city starting October 2014.
Schonlau received a professional contract from 2. Bundesliga club SC Paderborn 07 in December 2012 that would expire in June 2015, with an option for another year, despite his old club SC Warburg 08 wanting to let him go in that time for his stature and weight.
At the end of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Schonlau made bench appearances in matches against Dynamo Dresden and MSV Duisburg, though, was not subbed on in any of these matches.
In the following season, Schonlau made more bench appearances, though, was not brought on just like the previous season.
Before the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Schonlau extended his contract to 30 June 2016, and was loaned to SC Verl for the 2014âÂÂ15 season to gain more experience. He made his debut in a 1âÂÂ2 win playing in defensive midfield against the second team of Borussia Mönchengladbach. During the season, Schonlau had several minor injuries, which lessed his opportunities in playing with the team.
Once Schonlau returned to Paderborn, he made his debut in the 84th minute in a 1âÂÂ2 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf, coming on for Mahir SaÃÂlñk.
On 17 May 2021, Schonlau signed a three-year contract to join fellow 2. Bundesliga team Hamburger SV on a free, and was the club's first transfer for the 2021âÂÂ22 season. Around a month later in July, he was named captain (thus making previous captain Tim Leibold vice-captain), and first wore the captain's armband in a match against FC Basel.
In the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Schonlau suffered a calf injury in a match against SV Elversberg and was subbed off on the 74th minute, subsequently limiting his opportunities for that season.
On 20 August 2025, Schonlau signed with Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.