Nico Schlotterbeck

About

Nico Cédric Schlotterbeck (German pronunciation: [ˈniːko ˈʃlɔtɐˌbɛk]; born 1 December 1999) is a German professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team. He is known for his build-up play (sharp vertical flat passes), aerial ability, speed, strength and aggressive tackling.

Schlotterbeck began his club career together with his older brother Keven in his home district Rems-Murr at SG Weinstadt. Both his father and uncle Niels Schlotterbeck used to play football themselves, although the former had to end his career early at the age of 19 due to illness. During trial training sessions, the brothers Nico and Keven, who grew up in the district Beutelsbach in Weinstadt, were accepted into the academy of Stuttgart Kickers. Their friend Antonios Papadopoulos, also born in 1999, was accepted along with them. Papadopoulos and Schlotterbeck played together in Stuttgart until the Under-15s and also faced teams such as Ajax Amsterdam and Juventus FC in junior tournaments. After a year at VfR Aalen, which uncle Niels Schlotterbeck described as a ‘step backwards’, things started looking…