German · Stuttgart, Germany · Born 6 March 1996Rapid German forward whose pace and movement caused havoc, though his finishing was often scrutinised during a challenging spell at Chelsea.
Timo Werner was born on 6 March 1996 in Stuttgart, Germany, and joined the youth academy of VfB Stuttgart, where his rapid development saw him become the club's youngest-ever debutant and youngest-ever goalscorer when he broke into the first team as a teenager in 2013. His clinical finishing and blistering pace marked him out early as one of the most promising young strikers in German football. Werner moved to RB Leipzig in 2016 for a club-record transfer fee, and over four seasons became one of the most feared strikers in the Bundesliga, setting records as the youngest player to reach both 150 and 200 league appearances for the competition. His electric speed in behind opposition defences made him a nightmare matchup for even the most well-organised backlines, and he was the league's second-highest scorer in the 2019-20 season. Werner represented Germany at the 2017 Confederations Cup, winning the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, and played at the 2018 World Cup. Chelsea signed him in 2020, though his time in England proved a mixed experience — his movement and work rate remained valuable, but a lower conversion rate than at Leipzig drew criticism from supporters and pundits, and he returned to RB Leipzig in 2022 following a loan spell back in the Bundesliga and a further loan at Tottenham Hotspur. Werner earned over 50 caps for Germany, representing his country at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, before moving to Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes in 2026, continuing his career in the United States after over a decade at the top of European football.
Becoming RB Leipzig's all-time leading scorer
Despite his struggles in front of goal at Chelsea, his tireless running and movement were key to their Champions League triumph in 2021.
Did You Know?How They Played
Pacey striker with excellent runs behind defensive lines and clinical finishing
Lasting Impact
Werner established himself as one of Germany's key attacking players during the late 2010s and early 2020s. His success at RB Leipzig helped elevate the club's profile in European football.
Career Honours
- Champions League 2021
- UEFA Super Cup 2021
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2017
- Club World Cup 2021
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VfB Stuttgart | 2013–2016 | — | 95 | 13 | #11 |
| VfB Stuttgart II | 2014–2014 | — | 1 | 1 | #11 |
| RB Leipzig | 2016–2020 | loan | 127 | 78 | #8 |
| Chelsea | 2020–2022 | £47.5m (€53m) | 56 | 10 | #8 |
| RB Leipzig | 2022–2026 | loan | 38 | 11 | #8 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2024–2025 | loan | 31 | 2 | #8 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2026–Present | — | 10 | 5 | — |
 Germany | — | — | 57 | 24 | — |
German Athletes