Club Career
Born and raised in Niendorf, Hamburg, Effenberg started his professional career with Borussia Mönchengladbach, being an undisputed first-choice by age 20. This prompted the interest from Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich, and he proceeded to score 19 goals in his first two seasons combined, but the club did not win any silverware whatsoever.
After legendary Lothar Matthäus (who also represented M'gladbach) returned to Bayern in 1992, Effenberg moved to ACF Fiorentina, being relegated from Serie A in his first season, on a side that also included Dane Brian Laudrup and Argentine Gabriel Batistuta.
Effenberg then moved back to Borussia, where he amassed a further 118 league matches, with 23 goals, being then re-signed by Bayern. The second spell with the Bavarians was much more successful, as he collected three leagues in a row, and also the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, scoring in regulation period from the penalty spot in a triumph against Valencia CF (1–1, penalty shootout win). During the latter tournament, he also won the Most Valuable Player award. After his departure, club fans voted him one of the eleven greatest Bayern players of all time.
After an unassuming spell at VfL Wolfsburg, Effenberg ended his career in Qatar with Al-Arabi Sports Club. Subsequently, he had the odd appearance as a color commentator for German TV.
Read more about this topic: Stefan Effenberg
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