Malik Tillman

Malik Tillman
Tillman with the United States in 2026
Personal information
Full name Malik Leon Tillman[1]
Date of birth (2002-05-28) May 28, 2002
Place of birth Nuremberg, Germany
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[2]
Position Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Bayer Leverkusen
Number 10
Youth career
–2015 Greuther Fürth
2015–2020 Bayern Munich
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Bayern Munich II 25 (9)
2021–2024 Bayern Munich 4 (0)
2022–2023 → Rangers (loan) 28 (10)
2023 → Jong PSV (loan) 1 (0)
2023–2024 → PSV (loan) 28 (9)
2024–2025 PSV 26 (12)
2025– Bayer Leverkusen 29 (6)
International career‡
2016 United States U15 2 (0)
2017 Germany U15 1 (0)
2018 Germany U16 3 (0)
2018–2019 Germany U17 11 (2)
2021 Germany U20 2 (1)
2021–2022 Germany U21 4 (3)
2022– United States 35 (5)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Runner-up2025 Canada–United States
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner2024
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:28, May 18, 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of July 6, 2026

Malik Leon Tillman (born May 28, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Born in Germany, he represents the United States national team. He is known for his creativity, ball control, and dribbling.

Tillman played for Greuther Fürth and joined Bayern Munich's youth system in 2015. He featured for Bayern Munich II before making his debut for Bayern's first-team in August 2021. In July 2022, he moved to Scottish Premiership club Rangers on loan, where he won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for the 2022–23 season. In August 2023, he went on loan to Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven and won the league in 2023–24, with the club permanently signing him in May 2024, winning the league again in 2024–25. In July 2025, Tillman returned to Germany and signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen.

The son of an American serviceman stationed in Germany, Tillman represented both Germany and the United States at various youth levels. He committed to play for the U.S. and made his senior international debut in June 2022.

Club career

Bayern Munich

Born in Nuremberg, Tillman was part of the youth squad at Greuther Fürth before joining Bayern Munich along with his brother Timothy Tillman in 2015.[3] He was quickly promoted to the under-19 squad after putting in good performances for the under-17s.[3]

Tillman made his professional debut on June 9, 2020, when he came on as a substitute for Bayern Munich II, the club's reserve side, against Zwickau. He started and played 57 minutes as Bayern Munich II won 2–0.[4]

He was promoted to Bayern Munich's senior team during the first round of the 2021–22 DFB-Pokal against Bremer SV on August 25, 2021. He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half and scored a goal in the 12–0 victory.[5]

He made his Champions League debut on December 8, 2021, coming on as a substitute late in the second half against Barcelona.[6]

Loan to Rangers

Tillman with Rangers in 2022.

On July 15, 2022, Tillman joined Scottish club Rangers on a season long loan, with the club having an exclusive option to buy.[7] He made his debut for the club against Scottish Premiership side Livingston, as a second-half substitute, during a 2–1 win on July 30.[8] He scored his first goal for Rangers in a Champions League qualifier against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on August 9,[9] and followed this by netting the opening goal in a 4–0 league victory at home over St Johnstone three days later.[10]

PSV

On August 10, 2023, Tillman extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2026.[11] On the same day, he joined Eredivisie club PSV on loan with an option to buy.[12] On September 2, he scored his first goal on his Eredivisie debut in a 4–0 away win over Waalwijk.[13] On October 3, he provided his first Champions League assist in a 2–2 draw with Sevilla.[14]

On May 10, 2024, PSV opted to activate the buy option, securing Tillman's transfer permanently by finalizing a contract extending until 2028.[15] The transfer fee was reportedly €12 million, with a buyback clause to Bayern of approximately €35 million.[16]

Bayer Leverkusen

Tillman with Bayer Leverkusen in 2025.

On July 12, 2025, Tillman joined Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal after the club made a bid reported to be €35 million, representing a club record fee for Leverkusen alongside Jarell Quansah's move to the German club, as well as the second-highest American soccer transfer of all time.[17][18] On August 30, Tillman scored on his debut with the club, a 3–3 league draw to Werder Bremen.[19]

International career

Tillman playing for the United States at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Youth career

Tillman was initially eligible to represent both Germany, his birth nation, and the United States, through his father.[3] He played youth international soccer for the United States at under-15 level[20] and Germany at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-20 and under-21 levels.[21]

Senior career

Tillman with the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In May 2022, Tillman applied for a one-time switch to play for the United States national team.[22] On May 31, the switch was approved by FIFA.[23] The next day, he made his senior debut for the United States in a 3–0 win in a friendly match against Morocco.[24] He won the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League.[25]

Tillman had his breakthrough as a starter during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he became a standout star in an inexperienced U.S. squad led by manager Mauricio Pochettino.[26] He scored his first two goals for the United States on June 15, 2025 against Trinidad and Tobago, and one week later he scored against Haiti.[27] He created an assist in the thrilling 2–2 (4–3 p) quarter-final win over Costa Rica, and another assist against Guatemala in the 2–1 semi-final win.[28] He ultimately was runner-up against Mexico, though was featured on the team of the tournament.[29]

On May 26, 2026, Tillman was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[30] He scored his first World Cup goal from a critical direct free kick in a 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina securing the win in the Round of 32, which he had to change cleats before the kick due to a bloodied right foot injury.[31] He became the first American player to score a direct free-kick goal at a World Cup in 32 years, since Eric Wynalda in 1994.[32] He was also named Man of the Match.[33] In the Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, Tillman again scored another direct free-kick goal past Thibaut Courtois, becoming just the second World Cup player to achieve scoring two free-kicks in the same tournament in 44 years, since Bernard Genghini in 1982.[34][35]

Style of play

Tillman is a versatile attacking midfielder who can also operate as a central midfielder or winger. Known for his composure in possession, close control, and dribbling ability, he is effective at carrying the ball through midfield, linking play, and arriving in the penalty area to score goals.[36][37] He has been noted for his use of disguised passes including backheel flicks as part of his creative playmaking.[38] He has been described as a highly accurate free kick specialist.[35]

Personal life

Tillman is a dual national of the United States and Germany as his father served in the United States Armed Forces stationed in Germany, where he met his German mother. He has an older brother, Timothy, who currently plays professionally with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Both brothers played for the Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich academies.[3]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played August 22, 2026[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bayern Munich II 2019–20 3. Liga 85————85
2020–21 3. Liga 20————20
2021–22 Regionalliga Bayern 154————154
Total 259————259
Bayern Munich 2021–22 Bundesliga 4011—2[c]00071
Rangers (loan) 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 281031309[c]1—4312
Jong PSV (loan) 2023–24 Eerste Divisie 10————10
PSV (loan) 2023–24 Eredivisie 28920—9[c]0—399
PSV 2024–25 Eredivisie 261211—6[c]31[d]03416
Bayer Leverkusen 2025–26 Bundesliga 29620—10[c]2—418
2026–27 Bundesliga 0010—00—10
Total 29630—102—428
Career total 14146103303661019055

International

As of match played July 6, 2026[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 202240
202340
202490
202593
202692
Total355
List of international goals scored by Malik Tillman
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1June 15, 2025PayPal Park, San Jose, United States Trinidad and Tobago1–05–02025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
22–0
3June 22, 2025AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States Haiti1–02–1
4July 1, 2026Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States Bosnia and Herzegovina2–02–02026 FIFA World Cup
5July 6, 2026Lumen Field, Seattle, United States Belgium1–11–4

Honors

Bayern Munich

Rangers

PSV

United States

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Malik Leon Tillman". Bavarian Football Association (in German). Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Malik Tillman". Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Justin Butler, Chris Richards, and the nascent US stars earning their stripes at Bayern Munich". Bundesliga. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Bayern Munich 2-0 Zwickau". Soccerway.
  5. ↑ "Bayern Munich win 12-0 in German Cup rout". 7news.com.au. August 25, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Blistering Reds down Barca". FC Bayern Munich. December 8, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Rangers Sign Malik Tillman From Bayern Munich". rangers.co.uk. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Livingston 1-2 Rangers". BBC Sport. July 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Rangers 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise". BBC Sport. August 10, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. August 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ "FC Bayern verlängert Vertrag mit Malik Tillman" (in German). FC Bayern Munich. August 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Transfer | PSV versterkt middenveld met Malik Tillman" (in Dutch). PSV. August 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Malik Tillman scores off bench for PSV as USMNT stars Sergino Dest and Ricardo Pepi feature in lopsided win over RKC Waalwijk". Goal.com. September 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Malik Tillman makes impact in PSV's UCL draw with Sevilla". SBI Soccer. October 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Transfer | Malik Tillman tekent tot medio 2028 bij PSV" (in Dutch). PSV. May 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ "So viel Geld müsste FC Bayern zahlen, um Malik Tillman zurückzuholen - Top-Quelle" [That's how much money FC Bayern would have to pay to bring Malik Tillman back - top source] (in German). Tribuna.com. May 11, 2024.
  17. ↑ "USA international Malik Tillman joins Bayer 04 from PSV". Bayer 04 Leverkusen. July 12, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Bayer Leverkusen complete deal to sign USMNT's Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven". The Athletic. July 12, 2025.
  19. ↑ Stafford-Bloor, Sebastian (August 30, 2025). "USMNT's Malik Tillman scores in a Leverkusen debut marred by blown lead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Bayern Munich prospect Malik Tillman to play for the USMNT". sbisoccer.com. May 19, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Malik Tillman Spielerprofil". dfb.de. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Bayern Munich youngster Malik Tillman to play for the USA".
  23. ↑ "Bayern's Tillman cleared to represent USMNT". May 31, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Joe Scally and Malik Tillman make USMNT debuts in Morocco friendly". Bundesliga. June 1, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Adams Reyna on target as United States complete three peat". CONCACAF. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  26. ↑ "The USA's Breakout Player? Malik Tillman Rises To Gold Cup Challenge". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Gold Cup Schedule & Results". Gold Cup. March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  28. ↑ read, Henry BushnellSenior reporter·6 min (June 30, 2025). "Inside the USMNT's 'badass' win over Costa Rica: 'It's the American mentality'". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. 1 2 "Díaz, Jiménez, Richards headline Gold Cup Best XI". CONCACAF. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Pulisic, McKennie spearhead USA squad". May 26, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  31. ↑ Glenesk, Matthew; read, USA TODAY·1 min (July 2, 2026). "Malik Tillman's bloody right foot sends USMNT to World Cup round of 16 vs Belgium". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ↑ Narayan, Aaditya (July 1, 2026). "FIFA World Cup 2026 stats: Kane joins Messi, passes Pelé, Tielemans goal the latest ever, USA's 4". ESPN.
  33. ↑ "Ten-man USA set up Belgium tie". FIFA. June 30, 2026.
  34. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff. "Belgium handed the United States a FIFA World Cup reality check". ESPN. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  35. 1 2 read, Daniel Chavkin·3 min (July 7, 2026). "Malik Tillman becomes first player to score two free-kicks in a World Cup in 40 years". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ "Why Malik Tillman Is the USMNT's Key to Success at the 2026 World Cup". SI. October 15, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  37. ↑ "How Tillman could tip things in USA's favour". www.fifa.com. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  38. ↑ Floyd, Thomas (July 2, 2026). "Malik Tillman's bloody right foot sewed up a World Cup win 24 years in the making". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  39. ↑ Malik Tillman at Soccerway. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Malik Tillman » Internationals". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Gnabry eröffnet sehenswert: FC Bayern zum zehnten Mal in Folge Meister". Kicker (in German). April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Supercup 2020, Finale: Bayern München 3:2 Borussia Dortmund: Analyse" [Supercup 2020, Final: Bayern Munich 3:2 Borussia Dortmund: Analysis]. kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Joker Javi Martinez köpft Bayern zum Supercup". Kicker (in German). September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  44. ↑ Moffat, Colin (February 26, 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  45. ↑ "PSV crowned Eredivisie champions for 26th time after historic Ajax collapse". Flashscore. May 18, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Ajax main supplier of Eredivisie Team of the Month for September". Eredivisie. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  47. ↑ "Eredivisie Team of the Month: AZ leads the way". Eredivisie. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  48. ↑ Henry Jr, Larry (May 9, 2023). "Carter-Vickers, Tillman voted to PFA Scottish Premiership Team of Year". SBI Soccer. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  49. ↑ Henry Jr, Larry (May 14, 2023). "Malik Tillman named PFA Scottish Premiership Young Player of the Year". SBI Soccer. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Eredivisie Team of the Season (TOTS)". Electronic Arts Inc. April 25, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
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