Tim Kleindienst (born 31 August 1995) is a German professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, which he captains, and the Germany national team.
Kleindienst joined Energie Cottbus in 2008 from FC Viktoria Jüterbog. He made his 2. Bundesliga debut at 14 December 2013 against Fortuna Düsseldorf replacing Amin Affane after 78 minutes in a 3âÂÂ1 home defeat.
On 20 May 2015, it was announced that Kleindienst would join SC Freiburg for the 2015âÂÂ16 season.
On 2 September 2019, Kleindienst re-joined 1. FC Heidenheim having spent the 2016âÂÂ17 season on loan at the club.
On 30 July 2020, Kleindienst signed for Belgian First Division A side Gent. The transfer fee was undisclosed.
In June 2021, Kleindienst returned to 1. FC Heidenheim by signing a contract until 2025. On the final matchday of the 2022âÂÂ23 season, Kleindienst scored in the 99th minute in the stoppage time to secure a 3âÂÂ2 away win against Jahn Regensburg, in which his club finished top of the table and promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. In that season, he also managed to achieve the top scorer of the division with 25 goals.
On 6 April 2024, he scored a brace in a 3âÂÂ2 victory over defending champion Bayern Munich, to be the latter's first defeat against a newly promoted side since 2000. He finished the 2023âÂÂ24 season with the most aerial duels won in Bundesliga in 187 occasions, and also recorded the highest number of sprints, totaling 1,056.
On 21 June 2024, Kleindienst joined Borussia Mönchengladbach by signing a contract until 2028. In his debut season, he scored 16 goals, his personal best in Bundesliga, and was also voted the club's Player of the Season. Ahead of the 2025âÂÂ26 season, he was named the club's captain.
In May 2015, Kleindienst was named in the Germany U20 which participated in the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand.
On 3 October 2024, he was called up to the senior national team for the first time. Eight days later, he made his senior debut by starting in a 2âÂÂ1 away victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League. A month later, on 16 November, he scored his first international goals by netting a brace in a 7âÂÂ0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the same competition. In March 2025, Kleindienst scored two headers in total in both quarter-final legs against Italy, helping Germany advancing to the final four for the first time.
SC Freiburg
1. FC Heidenheim
Individual