Benjamin Lauth (born 4 August 1981) is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is mostly known for his time with 1860 Munich, where he played from 2000 to 2004 and 2008 to 2014.

At international level, he represented Germany at under-18 and under-21 youth levels. He also earned five caps for the senior national team.

Club career

1860 Munich

Born in Hausham, Bavaria, Lauth began his career with 1860 Munich in 1992, where he had played in his youth years. He gradually established himself as their leading striker. In 2002, he scored the German Goal of the Year with a bicycle kick.

Hamburger SV

In 2004, 1860 Munich was relegated, and he moved to Hamburger SV. However, his progress was hampered by a string of nagging injuries, limiting him to only ten appearances in the 2004–05 season. However, he regained his form and earned himself a starting place in the HSV attack for much of the 2005–06 season.

VfB Stuttgart (loan)

On 25 January 2007, Lauth was loaned to VfB Stuttgart, playing his first Bundesliga game against Arminia Bielefeld on 30 January. That season Stuttgart went on to win the Bundesliga, earning Lauth a medal.

Hannover 96

On 3 July 2007, he moved to Hannover 96. At Hannover he played the last 21 of his 140 German top-flight matches.

Return to 1860 Munich

Lauth training with 1860 Munich in 2009

In July 2008, he returned to 1860 Munich.

In December 2012, the German Football Association suspended Lauth for four matches after ruling he had elbowed Marcel Reichwein of VfR Aalen in a 1–1 draw on 30 November.

In April 2014, 1860 Munich decided not to renew his contract. His final goal came against VfL Bochum on 4 May 2014.

In September 2015, Lauth announced his retirement.

International career

Lauth scored one goal in one appearance for the Germany under-18 youth team. For the Germany under-21s, he scored four goals in eight matches.

He made his senior international debut for Germany on 16 December 2002, in a charity match between the national team and a selection of foreign players of the Bundesliga. He scored twice in the 4–2 win. In total, he earned five caps but did not score for "the Mannschaft".

Personal life

Lauth is subject of the song Lauth anhören (a pun of laut anhören, listen loudly) by Sportfreunde Stiller, who are avid Bavarian football fans. Lauth was talented for tennis and skiing, at a young age he was offered the opportunity to go the young German academy for skiing.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalRef.
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1860 Munich II2000–01Regionalliga Süd284284
1860 Munich2001–02Bundesliga10000010
2002–03321342103715
2003–04289223011
Total61226400106826
Hamburger SV2004–05Bundesliga1041000111
2005–06316301665012
2006–0760101040120
Total471050102067316
VfB Stuttgart2006–07Bundesliga11120131
VfB Stuttgart II2006–07Regionalliga Süd1010
Hannover 962007–08Bundesliga21020230
1860 Munich2008–092. Bundesliga3415313716
2009–1030630336
2010–113316203516
2011–123311223513
2012–133012313313
2013–1427320293
Total18763154000020267
Ferencváros2014–15Nemzeti Bajnokság I236305340359
Career total37910633863256443123

Honours

Hamburger SV

VfB Stuttgart

Ferencváros

Individual

External links

  • at WorldFootball.net
  • at fussballdaten.de (in German)
  • at National-Football-Teams.com