Lars Ricken

The youngest BVB debutant and Champions League final hero who stayed for 15 years.

Lars Ricken is a German retired footballer born on 10 July 1976 who spent his entire 15-year professional career with Borussia Dortmund. An attacking midfielder, he made his Bundesliga debut on 8 March 1994 against VfB Stuttgart at the age of not yet 18, becoming the youngest player to appear for the club in an official match until Nuri Şahin broke the record. Ricken won three Bundesliga titles (1994–95, 1995–96, 2001–02) and scored a decisive goal in the 1996–97 Champions League final. After retiring from playing in November 2007, following a brief attempt to return with Columbus Crew, he served as youth coordinator from 2008 to 2024 before becoming the managing director of Borussia Dortmund on 1 May 2024.

Quick Facts

Born: 10 July 1976
Birthplace: Dortmund, West Germany
Height: 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Borussia Dortmund (CEO for Sport)
Total caps: 340
Total goals: 57

Lore & Background

Ricken’s professional journey began in his hometown, joining local Borussia early. He made history as the club's youngest ever official match player when he debuted on 8 March 1994 in a 1–2 home defeat against VfB Stuttgart. From the following season, he became a regular contributor, helping secure back-to-back national titles with 8 goals in 47 matches between 1994 and 1996. His defining moment arrived on 28 May 1997 in the UEFA Champions League final against Juventus FC.

Substituted into the match, Ricken found the net just 16 seconds after entering the pitch, setting a record for the fastest goal by a substitute in a final. This strike secured the 1–0 victory and the trophy. Although injuries hampered his later career—leading to a demotion to the reserve team in April 2007—he restored form enough to score six goals in the 2001–02 season, helping Dortmund claim their third league title.

Reader's Guide

Ricken’s post-playing career was immediately defined by a return to youth development. On 11 June 2008, Michael Zorc announced Ricken would join as youth coordinator with immediate effect, even as he briefly played for the amateur side in the Regionalliga West. He formally retired from professional football on 16 February 2009. For sixteen years, from 2008 until April 2024, he shaped the next generation of Dortmund talent. His tenure ended with a promotion to the club's highest sporting office; on 22 April 2024, it was announced he would take over as CEO for Sport from Hans-Joachim Watzke, beginning 1 May 2024. Throughout his life in football, Ricken remained a one-club man, representing Germany internationally for five years and collecting the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt award in 2002.

Did You Know?

He announced his retirement from football in November 2007 but briefly attended a training camp with Columbus Crew in February 2008 before returning to Germany.
Ricken served as youth coordinator for Borussia Dortmund for exactly 16 years, from 2008 until April 2024.