Wolfgang Hesl

Wolfgang Hesl was born on 13 January 1986 in Nabburg.

Wolfgang is sometimes called the successor of Oliver Kahn – he was born in the same area and likewise makes great saves for his team. Hesl’s junior career took off in the academy of SC Altfalter when he was 5 years old. Later the young player moved to 1. FC Schwarzenfeld where, he, however, didn’t stay for too long and soon joined FC Amberg. In 2003 Wolfgang caught the eye of Hamburger SV scouts. Moreover, he received an offer from Bayern Munich, but, in the end, decided to play for the Red Shorts.

Hesl started to play for the club’s reserve team in the Regionalliga. During the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons he still performed for the second team. In 2007 Wolfgang was invited to the main squad, where he, however, was only third-choice keeper. Soon one of the goalkeepers left Hamburger SV due to some financial problems and Hesl automatically became second-choice goalie. The German was given his first taste of first-team action on 17 May 2008 in a 7-0 victory over Karlsruher SC, when he came on as a sub in the 74th minute. Wolfgang’s following match fell on 6 January 2009 in a friendly encounter versus AC Milan, where he staggeringly saved a penalty kick. Following this, the goalkeeper also appeared in the matches of the UEFA Europa League.

In the summer of 2010 Jaroslav Drobný joined Hamburger SV, so Wolfgang became third-choice keeper again. Soon he switched to Austrian side SV Ried on a 1-year loan spell. During one season the footballer earned 20 appearances and lifted the Austrian Cup. For the 2011/12 season he returned to the German club, but, soon moved to Dynamo Dresden. In May 2012 Hesl became part of SpVgg Greuther Fürth signing a contract until 30 June 2014.