Dirk Heinen
Encyclopedia
Dirk Heinen is a former football goalkeeper.
side Bayer Leverkusen
, before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt
. In 2002, he transferred to Turkcell Super League
side Denizlispor
, but returned to the Bundesliga after just one season there, this time joining VfB Stuttgart
. There, Heinen was the substitute keeper for Timo Hildebrand
. He only played three matches there, his last coming in March 2006, and was demoted to third goalkeeper behind Hildebrand and Michael Langer
the following season. A German champion
with Stuttgart in 2007, he announced his retirement in July 2007, subsequently emigrating to the native country of his wife Sandra, Ireland
(County Waterford
).
However, in January 2008 the goalkeeper was re-called to German football, moving to Arminia Bielefeld
, who asked him to join them as they were short of goalkeepers in early 2008 due to injuries. On 15 March 2008, the 37-year old made his comeback in the Bundesliga against Hannover 96
after Arminia's second keeper Rowen Fernandez
was injured as well.
He retired at the end of the 2007–08 season for good.
Career
Heinen played most of his matches in his nine year stint at BundesligaFußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
side Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
, before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
. In 2002, he transferred to Turkcell Super League
Turkcell Super League
The Süper Lig is a Turkish professional league for association football clubs. It is the top-flight of the Turkish football league system. It is one of the top leagues in the UEFA confederation and the winner of the competition automatically qualifies for the UEFA Champions League...
side Denizlispor
Denizlispor
Denizlispor is a sports club based in Denizli, Turkey. It is known by its distinct green and black colors. The club's branches include football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, and gymnastics...
, but returned to the Bundesliga after just one season there, this time joining VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
. There, Heinen was the substitute keeper for Timo Hildebrand
Timo Hildebrand
Timo Hildebrand is a German professional football goalkeeper who is currently signed with Schalke 04.Hildebrand holds a Bundesliga record for keeping a clean sheet for 884 consecutive minutes in 2003–04.-VfB Stuttgart:...
. He only played three matches there, his last coming in March 2006, and was demoted to third goalkeeper behind Hildebrand and Michael Langer
Michael Langer
Michael Langer is an Austrian footballer currently playing for FSV Frankfurt.-Club career:Formerly a goalkeeper for the German Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart, he made his debut in the highest German division on 10 March 2007 in a game against Wolfsburg, as a replacement for regular goalkeeper Timo...
the following season. A German champion
German football champions
The German football champions are the annual winners of the highest association football competition in Germany. The history of the German football championship is complex and reflects the turbulent history of the country through the course of the 20th century.Brought to the country by English...
with Stuttgart in 2007, he announced his retirement in July 2007, subsequently emigrating to the native country of his wife Sandra, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
).
However, in January 2008 the goalkeeper was re-called to German football, moving to Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
, who asked him to join them as they were short of goalkeepers in early 2008 due to injuries. On 15 March 2008, the 37-year old made his comeback in the Bundesliga against Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
after Arminia's second keeper Rowen Fernandez
Rowen Fernandez
Rowen Fernández is a South African footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Supersport United in the South African Premier Soccer League, as well as the South African national team...
was injured as well.
He retired at the end of the 2007–08 season for good.
Honours
- BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
: 2006–07 - DFB-PokalDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
: 1992–93