A history of Canadian internationals in the Bundesliga
Over the past seven years, the Bundesliga has become appointment viewing for Canadian soccer fans for one reason in particular: Alphonso Davies.
The 25-year-old Canadian international became a global sensation for his performances with Bayern Munich, winning six Bundesliga titles and racking up 154 matches and nine goals, for the league’s most decorated club. He also became the first Canadian men’s player to win a UEFA Champions League, among the 13 trophies he has won since joining Bayern.
But even before Davies set the league alight, the Bundesliga has a long history of standout Canadian performances. In total, nine Canadian internationals have suited up in the Bundesliga in its 63 seasons.
Here are six other Canadians who made a name for themselves in the German top flight:
Paul Stalteri (Werder Bremen, Borussia Monchengladbach)
Davies is undoubtedly the most successful Canadian in Bundesliga history, with six titles. Stalteri, however, was a trailblazer, becoming the first Canadian to win the Bundesliga when he did so with Werder Bremen in 2003-04.
The full-back played 33 matches during that campaign, scoring twice as Bremen also went on to win the DFB-Pokal for an impressive double. In total, Stalteri played 170 Bundesliga matches, and scored six goals. That is the most appearances a Canadian has made in the German top flight.
He is also the first Canadian to score a goal in the Bundesliga, which he did against fellow Canuck Kevin McKenna and Energie Cottbus in August 2000.
After three seasons in the Premier League between Tottenham and Fulham, Stalteri concluded his fantastic career in the Bundesliga, playing two seasons for Borussia Mönchengladbach. He played 84 times for Canada, scoring seven goals and winning the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Kevin McKenna (Energie Cottbus, 1. FC Köln)
McKenna and Stalteri share the honour of becoming the first Canadians to play in the Bundesliga, making their German league debuts against each other in August 2000 when Energie Cottbus took on Werder Bremen. Stalteri had the last laugh, as his side won 3-1 and he became the first Canadian to score in the league.
But for McKenna, it was the start of a long and impressive career in Germany. The Calgary-born central defender’s initial stint with Cottbus was brief, but he returned to the club in 2005-06 in the 2. Bundesliga, where he scored a stunning 10 times from central defender to help them earn promotion. He spent a further two seasons with them in the top flight, taking over as club captain from Gregg Berhalter.
In 2007, he moved westward to join 1. FC Köln, who were then in the 2. Bundesliga, but quickly helped them to earn promotion. He spent the next four campaigns in the Bundesliga, before the side were relegated in 2011-12. In his final pro season, McKenna helped Köln to get back to the Bundesliga, before joining the club’s coaching staff. McKenna scored 11 goals in 63 matches for the Canadian men’s national team.
Marcel de Jong (FC Augsburg)
After four seasons in the Dutch top flight with Roda JC, De Jong signed with FC Augsberg ahead of the 2010-11 campaign.
Then in the 2.Bundesliga, the Canadian full-back played 27 matches and scored three goals to help Augsburg earn promotion. He spent the next four campaigns playing for the club in the Bundesliga, with his best campaign coming in 2012-13 when he made 20 appearances. That season he scored an absolute wondergoal with a chip from outside the box against VfB Stuttgart. In total, he made 41 Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg before departing the club in 2015.
De Jong went on to play 56 matches for Canada, scoring three international goals. He concluded his career by playing two seasons for Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League.
Never a bad time to remember this beauty 🤩
— FC Augsburg (@FCA_World) October 15, 2025
Happy birthday, Marcel de Jong! pic.twitter.com/7xVCdztPUz
Julian de Guzman (Hannover 96)
Canada’s second-most capped player, with 89 appearances for the national team, Julian De Guzman began his illustrious career in Germany – initially in the 2. Bundesliga with 1. FC Saarbrücken in 2000-01.
Two years later, the defensive midfielder joined Hanover 96 for their first season in the Bundesliga in 13 years. De Guzman quickly established himself as a key player in the Hannover side, making 78 appearances, and scoring twice, in three seasons in the German top flight.
De Guzman parlayed his performances in Germany into becoming the first Canadian to play in LaLiga when he joined Deportivo La Coruña in 2007-08. He briefly returned to Germany in 2012-13 to play for Jahn Regensburg in the 2.Bundesliga.
Rob Friend (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
For two seasons, there were a pair of Canadian teammates in the Bundesliga. Striker Rob Friend played alongside (or more accurately in front of) Paul Stalteri during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 campaigns with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
After helping Gladbach to earn promotion with 18 goals in the 2.Bundesliga the season prior, Friend tallied seven to lead them in scoring the following season in the Bundesliga, and narrowly survived relegation by a single point. That is the most goals a Canadian has ever scored in a Bundesliga campaign.
He followed that up by scoring three the next year. Friend spent the next four seasons in Germany between Hertha BSC, Eintracht Frankfurt and 1860 Munich – but all in the 2. Bundesliga.
Friend tallied twice in 32 matches for the Canadian men’s national team, including against Brazil in a 2008 friendly.
Daniel Imhof (VfL Bochum)
The Swiss-born Canadian international made the move to Germany in 2005 alongside his long-time coach with Swiss side St. Gallen, Marcel Koller, to join 2.Bundesliga club VfL Bochum.
Helping Bochum earn promotion in 2005-06, Imhof then spent four seasons with the club in the Bundesliga, returning to St. Gallen following the 2009-10 campaign. The club’s most successful season in the league during his tenure came in 2006-07, when they finished eighth, bolstered by a Golden Boot-winning campaign from Greek striker Theofanis Gekas.
Imhof made 37 appearances for the Canadian men’s national team, including at the 2001 Confederations Cup where he started against both Japan and Cameroon. His brother, Dominic, also represented Canada.
