Robert Glatzel's career is extraordinary.
A few years ago, the Munich player was still playing in the district league.
Now he has set a Bundesliga record.
Munich / Mainz - The careers of most professionals reads the same nowadays: Starting with a small club close to where they live and finally maturing into a Bundesliga player via the youth training center.
There are only a few exceptions.
One of them is Robert Glatzel.
The now 27-year-old from FSV Mainz 05 switched to the U19 of SpVgg Unterhaching via TSV Waldtrudering, SC 1906 Munich and SC Fürstenfeldbruck.
After only one year, the native of Munich was drawn to local rivals TSV 1860 Munich.
“I came to the U19 in 1860 Munich when I was 18.
Others had professional contracts for a long time.
I, on the other hand, signed a temporary A-youth contract on a 250-euro basis, "Glatzel revealed to the picture.
After only one year he moved to SV Heimstetten and sometimes only played in the district league.
Via Wacker Burghausen and the reserve there, the striker landed again at TSV 1860 for the 2013/14 season. But with the Lions, Glatzel did not make it to the pros over the second team.
Robert Glatzel: From 1. FC Kaiserslautern II to Heidenheim and in the Premiership to Cardiff City
Instead, he moved to FC Kaiserslautern II. He was able to convince for the first time in the Red Devils reserve.
After 27 goals and four assists in 46 games, second division 1. FC Heidenheim became aware of Glatzel.
With this, the man from Munich made the leap into professional football at the age of 23.
Why did it take so long?
“I never felt that great talent, in my youth I just wasn't that good.” “Bobby” was also able to convince in the 2nd Bundesliga and played a major role in the FCH's development from being relegated to promotion.
Glatzel experienced his career highlight so far in the 2018/19 season when he returned to Munich with Heidenheim and brought FC Bayern to the brink of defeat in the DFB Cup.
At 4-5 in the Allianz Arena, Glatzel scored three goals.
In total, the 1.93-meter-tall striker collected 34 scorers (24 goals, ten assists) in 61 games at the second division side, before he dared to take the next step in his career in summer 2019 and moved to the championship at Cardiff City for six million euros - a record fee for FC Heidenheim.
Robert Glatzel scores the earliest goal in Bundesliga history for FSV Mainz 05
With the promotion favorites of the English second division, who lagged behind his expectations in the past two years, Glatzel could not build on his performances from Heidenheim.
He scored eleven goals and two assists in 58 games.
The 27-year-old has been back in Germany since the beginning of the year and is reminiscent of his Heidenheim days.
But this time in the Bundesliga and at Mainz 05. With this move, Glatzel fulfilled a dream: “I really wanted to go to the Bundesliga, that's what I've always dreamed of - a present!”.
In the 05ers, Glatzel should revive the offensive and prevent relegation.
With two goals and an assist, the man from Munich, who was on loan from Cardiff until the end of the season, played a decisive role in the Mainz upswing after the winter break.
When he made his starting line-up debut last weekend, Glatzel entered the Bundesliga history books directly.
After losing the ball from Bayern loan Chris Richards, Glatzel hit after just 26 seconds.
It is the earliest goal in Bundesliga history.
A goal has never been scored earlier than 1:31 p.m.
For Glatzel it was the fastest goal of his career.
(Alexander Nikel)