Maloney makes Mainz move | OneFootball

USMNT international Lennard Maloney leaves Heidenheim for Mainz

The 25-year-old arrives at the MEWA Arena having spent two and a half successful seasons at Heidenheim, where he played an integral role in Frank Schmidt's Bundesliga promotion push of 2022/23.

That season, the Baden-Württemberg-based side reached Germany's top tier for the first time as Bundesliga 2 champions. Another first soon followed for the pair, with qualification for the UEFA Conference League arriving following an eighth-placed finish in the top flight.

Maloney becomes Mainz's first signing of the January transfer window and he arrives to strengthen an 05ers team who are pushing hard for a European finish this term.

“Lennard Maloney has been able to prove himself in the Bundesliga over the last year and a half,” Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert said, in quotes appearaing on the club's official website. “His preferred position is as a number six and as a player, he’s the perfect fit for Mainz 05. He brings a strong mentality, as well as a willingness to run hard, to the table and is also strong at winning challenges and aerial duels. Lennard will find it easy to fit into our squad with his warm, open personality.”

Maloney celebrated promotion with Heidenheim in 2023. (IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto)

Maloney made 85 appearances in total for Heidenheim, scoring and assisting twice, while it was under Schmidt that the 6'2" talent added an extra dimension to his game, switching from central defence to defensive midfield.

Born in Berlin to a German mother and an American father, Maloney made his way up through the Union Berlin youth ranks before turning pro in 2018. That preceded a switch to Borussia Dortmund's second team. A subsequent step up to the senior side at BVB saw him make his Bundesliga debut with the Black-Yellows against Arminia Bielefeld in October 2021.

“Mainz 05 are a great fit for me, from the style of play to their overall set-up,” Mainz's new signing said. “Sometimes, all it takes is one meeting with the sporting management and the head coach to know that you will get on well with each other. That was definitely the case here - I had a good feeling right from the start. Now I’m looking forward to getting to know my new teammates, the fans and the city. I’m also excited to get to experience the Mewa Arena, a place where Mainz are tough to beat”

A former Germany youth international, Maloney switched allegiances to the United States when teaming up with the Stars and Stripes in 2018. Just over two years later, he was called into the senior set-up by former Unites States coach Gregg Berhalter and went on to win USMNT caps against Ghana and Trinida & Tobago.

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