Maximilian Beier has been with Borussia Dortmund since 2024. “Several top European clubs were fighting for him. We are very happy that we were able to convince him,” said managing director Lars Ricken after signing the versatile attacking player, who combines speed (up to 36.4 km/h), a drive for goal and finishing skills with a willingness to give his all for his teammates off the ball. His favourite position is “next to or behind the striker”: “I prefer to play in the centre, either as a striker or just behind. That’s where I get the ball more often and can get into spaces where I can score goals.”

In his first season in Dortmund (2024/25), Beier scored eight goals in the Bundesliga (only Serhou Guirassy scored more) and one in the Champions League, in the away win in Lille that took BVB to the quarter-finals. He grew stronger and stronger under Niko Kovac. Beier was involved in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last four Bundesliga games before his injury on Matchday 30. Across all competitions, he notched up 15 scorer points, surpassed only by Guirassy and Julian Brandt.

Maximilian Beier began his football career in his hometown of Brandenburg an der Havel with local club ESV Kirchmöser. In 2015, the then 13-year-old moved to the elite school of sport in Cottbus, 170 kilometres away from his family. He made his breakthrough in 2018 with TSG Hoffenheim. With 18 goals in 26 U17 Bundesliga games, he catapulted himself to the top of the scoring charts in his second season. After the winter break, he made his Bundesliga debut on 8 February 2020, becoming the youngest player in the club’s Bundesliga history at the age of 17 years, three months and 22 days.

In the summer of 2021, the then 18-year-old moved to Hannover 96 on a two-year loan to get more playing time in the Bundesliga 2. 96 coach Stefan Leitl converted the attacker from a left winger to a second striker. After 68 appearances (15 goals, seven assists), Maximilian Beier returned to TSG Hoffenheim as their leading striker for the 2023/24 season. From the third matchday onwards, he started 29 times (no other Hoffenheim outfield player started more often). His 16 goals for the season (the highest tally in the team) were surpassed by only one other German player in the league.

Maxi Beier, who has been selected for the German Football Association (DFB) youth teams since U17 level, made his senior international debut on 3 June 2024. He came on as a substitute in the 59th minute of the European Championship warm-up match against Ukraine and almost crowned his debut with a goal. Only the woodwork prevented him from making the perfect debut.