Overview
Simon Terodde, born on March 2, 1988, in Bocholt, Germany, is a professional footballer renowned for his consistent goalscoring ability as a centre-forward. Standing at 1.92 meters, Terodde possesses a physical presence that complements his predatory instincts in the penalty area. Throughout his extensive career, he has become synonymous with prolific scoring, particularly in the German second division, the 2. Bundesliga, where he holds the all-time record for goals scored. Despite his success at club level, Terodde has not represented the Germany national team.
Position
Terodde operates almost exclusively as a traditional number nine, leading the line for his teams. His role typically involves occupying central defenders, providing a focal point for attacks, and converting chances inside the box. He is less involved in deep build-up play, instead focusing his energy on intelligent movement within the final third to create goal-scoring opportunities. His height and strength make him an effective target man, capable of holding up the ball and bringing teammates into play.
Identity
Simon Terodde's footballing identity is defined by his reliability in front of goal. He is widely regarded as a 'poacher' or 'fox in the box,' a striker whose primary function is to score goals. His career trajectory highlights a player who consistently performs at a high level in terms of output, often being the leading scorer for his respective clubs. This consistent performance has made him a valuable asset for teams aiming for promotion or seeking a reliable source of goals in competitive leagues.
Career path
Simon Terodde began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of local clubs before joining the academy of MSV Duisburg. His senior career officially commenced with Duisburg's reserve team in 2006, where he quickly demonstrated his goalscoring potential. His first significant move came in 2009 when he transferred to FC Schalke 04, initially playing for their second team before making a handful of appearances for the senior squad in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. Transfermarkt records his initial move to Schalke 04 in July 2009 and his subsequent loan to MSV Duisburg in January 2011.
Early Career and Loans
After his spell at Schalke, Terodde embarked on a series of moves that would solidify his reputation as a prolific striker in Germany's lower divisions. He joined 1. FC Köln in 2011, spending two seasons primarily with their reserve side, though he did make appearances for the first team. A loan spell at Union Berlin from 2011 to 2012 proved fruitful, providing him with regular first-team football and an opportunity to showcase his goalscoring prowess in the 2. Bundesliga. He returned to Union Berlin permanently in July 2012, where he spent two successful seasons, scoring 26 goals in 62 league appearances.
Rise in the 2. Bundesliga
Terodde's career truly took off with his move to VfL Bochum in July 2014. Over two seasons, he scored 40 goals in 67 league matches, establishing himself as one of the most feared strikers in the 2. Bundesliga. His exceptional form earned him a transfer to VfB Stuttgart in July 2016, where he continued his prolific scoring, netting 25 goals in 32 league games to help Stuttgart achieve promotion to the Bundesliga. He then moved to 1. FC Köln in January 2018, playing a crucial role in their promotion campaigns from the 2. Bundesliga to the top flight. Another stint at Hamburg SV from 2020 to 2021 saw him break the 2. Bundesliga all-time scoring record, as detailed by Wikipedia's entry on him. In July 2021, Terodde rejoined Schalke 04, where he continued his goalscoring exploits, leading them to promotion back to the Bundesliga.
Playing style
Simon Terodde's playing style is archetypal of a classic centre-forward, focusing on efficiency and clinical finishing within the penalty area. His 1.92-meter frame makes him a constant aerial threat, both from crosses and set-pieces. Data from platforms like FBref often highlights his high volume of shots and goals from close range, underscoring his positioning and ability to find space in crowded boxes.
Off-the-Ball Movement
One of Terodde's key attributes is his intelligent off-the-ball movement. He excels at breaking free from defenders, often making subtle runs that create separation for a shot or header. This ability allows him to consistently be in the right place at the right time, maximizing his chances of converting opportunities. He is not a striker who typically drops deep to link play or drifts wide; instead, his focus remains central, looking to exploit defensive gaps.
Finishing and Poise
Terodde possesses a calm and composed finishing touch, capable of scoring with both feet and his head. His shot placement is generally accurate, often aiming for corners or exploiting goalkeeper positioning. While not known for spectacular long-range efforts, his strength lies in his consistency and ability to convert high-probability chances. His penalty-taking record is also strong, reflecting his composure under pressure. Comparisons are often drawn to other traditional German strikers known for their prolific goalscoring in the box, such as Miroslav Klose or Mario Gomez, albeit without the international pedigree.
Physicality and Hold-up Play
Given his height and build, Terodde is effective at holding up the ball, allowing midfielders to join the attack. He can absorb pressure from defenders and lay the ball off to teammates, creating second-phase attacks. While not a rapid striker, his physical strength allows him to compete effectively in duels and maintain possession in tight spaces. His defensive work rate, while not his primary contribution, typically involves pressing central defenders and blocking passing lanes when out of possession.
Achievements & honours
Simon Terodde's career has been marked by significant individual and team successes, primarily in the German domestic leagues. While he has not won major European or international titles, his consistent goalscoring has directly contributed to several promotions for his clubs and earned him numerous individual accolades.
His most notable individual achievement is holding the record for the most goals scored in the 2. Bundesliga. This record underscores his sustained excellence in Germany's second tier, where he has consistently been one of the league's top performers.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| VfB Stuttgart | 2. Bundesliga | 2016–17 |
| 1. FC Köln | 2. Bundesliga | 2018–19 |
| FC Schalke 04 | 2. Bundesliga | 2021–22 |
Individual Honours
- 2. Bundesliga Top Scorer: 2016–17 (VfB Stuttgart)
- 2. Bundesliga Top Scorer: 2018–19 (1. FC Köln)
- 2. Bundesliga Top Scorer: 2020–21 (Hamburger SV)
- 2. Bundesliga Top Scorer: 2021–22 (FC Schalke 04)
- Record goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga
These achievements highlight Terodde's impact as a decisive goalscorer, often being the catalyst for his teams' successes in securing promotion to the Bundesliga.
International career
Despite his prolific goalscoring record at club level, particularly in the 2. Bundesliga, Simon Terodde has not received a call-up to the senior Germany national team. His career has coincided with a period when Germany has had a strong pool of attacking talent, often featuring players from top-tier Bundesliga clubs or major European leagues.
Terodde's style of play, while highly effective in domestic club football, may not have been deemed a fit for the tactical approaches favored by national team coaches during his peak years. Germany's national setup has often prioritized strikers with a greater emphasis on link-up play, pressing, or versatility across the front line, which are areas where Terodde's game is less pronounced compared to his penalty-box prowess.
His entire professional career has been spent within German clubs, and while he has consistently scored goals, the step up to international football often requires a different set of attributes and experience at the highest club level, such as the UEFA Champions League. As of May 2026, Terodde remains uncapped at any level for the German national team, a testament to the depth of talent available to the DFB and perhaps a reflection of the specific profile of striker sought at the international stage.
His focus has remained squarely on club football, where he has carved out a highly successful and respected career through his consistent goal output.
What makes Simon Terodde stand out
Simon Terodde stands out primarily for his exceptional and consistent goalscoring record in the 2. Bundesliga. His ability to find the back of the net season after season, across multiple clubs, is a rare trait in modern football. He possesses an innate understanding of space within the penalty area, allowing him to position himself effectively for tap-ins, headers, and close-range finishes. This predatory instinct is his most defining characteristic.
Another distinguishing feature is his resilience and ability to perform under pressure, particularly in promotion-contending teams. He has been instrumental in leading multiple clubs to the Bundesliga, often stepping up with crucial goals in decisive matches. His leadership, even without an armband, is evident in his consistent output and dedication to his role as a primary goalscorer.
"Simon is a guarantee for goals. You know what you're getting with him, and that's invaluable for any team."