Who is Tim Oermann? | OneFootball

Tim Oermann: who is the young defender hoping to aid in Bochum’s potential great escape?

Tim Oermann's assuredness has been plain to see since making his Bochum debut in 2022, and after a brief spell in Austria he's returned to become an increasingly important part of Bochum's defence.

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Data accurate as of 26 March 2025

Tim Oermann

Age: 21 (born 6 October 2003)Club: BochumPosition: Centre-backCountry: Germany U21 (five caps)

As the referee blew his whistle to confirm Bochum’s first point of the 2022/23 season against Cologne on Matchday 7, no-one will have been happier than young Tim Oermann. Having played 83 minutes on his first start for his boyhood club, he completed the long journey from Bochum fan and academy hopeful to first-team player.

Oermann's journey began with local side SF Altenbochum, before joining the Bochum academy in 2012, aged eight. He rose through the ranks, making four Bundesliga appearances before leaving temporarily to join Austrian side Wolfsberger AC on loan for the second half of the 2022/23 season. Under former Bochum coach and DFB sporting director Robin Dutt, who would have known the promising Oermann from his time at the Ruhrstadion, the young defender made 16 appearances in all competitions as they finished ninth in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Oermann (c.) helped his side to their first point of the 2022/23 season, one of four league appearances before heading out on loan. (IMAGO/Ralf Treese/IMAGO/Treese)

Having made 20 professional appearances that season, Oermann caught the eye of Germany U20 coach Hannes Wolf, who handed him his debut for the national team against England in early 2023 – a game that saw fellow Bundesliga stars Carney Chukwuemeka, Paul Nebel, Jonas Urbig and Merlin Röhl take the field.

Making the step up to senior football with aplomb, Oermann was given increased responsibility by Bochum in the 2023/24 season, making 17 Bundesliga appearances including their incredible comeback in the second leg of their relegation playoff game against Fortuna Düsseldorf, which meant that they maintained their Bundesliga status.

His minutes have increased once again this season, as he plays his part in Bochum’s fight for survival once more; having had to wait until Matchday 14 for a win against Union Berlin, his side are currently hoping to pull off one more epic survival story.

Oermann's rise to the Bundesliga has also led to appearances for Germany's U20 and U21 teams. (Christian Kaspar-Bartke)

Plays a bit like: Danny da Costa

Towering above six foot tall, both Oermann and Mainz's da Costa provide a welcome physical presence among their backlines. Their aerial prowess, combined with good awareness and reading of the game, have made them reliable parts of their respective defences this season. Another welcome attribute they both share is pace, which is becoming ever-important in the modern game, especially with speed kings such as Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Sirlord Conteh in the Bundesliga.

Did you know?

Oermann’s Austrian Bundesliga debut for Wolfsberger came in a 2-1 defeat to WSG Tirol, a game in which Thomas Sabitzer, cousin of Austrian international and current Borussia Dortmund star Marcel, got on the scoresheet.

What they’re saying

“Tim Oermann has been with us since the U10s and has progressed through all the youth teams. Developing our own players with the prospect of making the leap to the professional level is part of our philosophy. The talent factory is doing an excellent job in this regard.” Bochum sporting director, Sebastian Schinzielorz

“I was a VfL fan even before my move as a young boy, and as a Bochum native, I also feel a strong connection to the city. When the move to my favorite club finally came about, I couldn't quite believe it. From the very beginning, I always felt very comfortable. VfL is a very family-oriented club where a lot of trust is placed in me.” Tim Oermann, on what it means to play for Bochum

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