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Vereinigung der Vertragsfussballspieler

Logo: https://www.spielergewerkschaft.de/de/startseite.htm, Non-free logo, via Wikipedia4

German professional footballer's union

The Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler e. V. (VDV) is the professional footballer's union in Germany. As of 2026, it has approximately 1400 members playing in the German professional leagues.2 It was founded by Karl-Heinz Körbel, Frank Pagelsdorf, Bruno Labbadia and Ewald Lienen and others.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Jun 15, 1987Founded1
  • HeadquartersDuisburg, Germany1
  • Websitewww.spielergewerkschaft.de
  • Legal formRegistered association (eingetragener Verein)1
  • Kind of organizationNonprofit organization1
  • LEI3912003BTC0WQ69Q6A273
  • StatusActive3
  • LEI statusIssued and current3
  • Registered addressAm Bugapark 1, 45899 Gelsenkirchen, Germany3
  • Registered withLocal Court Duisburg, VR 39283

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The Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler e. V. (VDV) is the professional footballer's union in Germany. As of 2026, it has approximately 1400 members playing in the German professional leagues. Junior footballers at the beginning of their professional careers can also be members from the age of fifteen. Footballers who have been playing abroad or have retired can remain members.2

The story

Founded by Benno Möhlmann, Bruno Labbadia, Ewald Lienen, Florian Gothe, Frank Pagelsdorf, Guido Buchwald and Karl-Heinz Körbel on Jun 15, 1987.1

The union was founded on 15 June 1987 in Offenbach am Main by the former professional footballers Benno Möhlmann, Ewald Lienen and Frank Pagelsdorf, together with colleagues including Guido Buchwald, Florian Gothe, Charly Körbel and Bruno Labbadia. The goal of the union was to work in the interest of the players. Especially important at that time were work and contract conditions, the independence of players, and the democratisation of German professional football. In general, the goal is to give footballers a common voice towards clubs and associations.

From Wikipedia’s article on Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Leadership

Who has led Vereinigung der Vertragsfussballspieler, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Chair

  1. Benno Möhlmann1987–1992
  2. Stefan Lottermann1992–1994
  3. Jürgen Rollmann1994–1996
  4. Benno Möhlmann1996–1997
  5. Jürgen Sparwasser1997–1999
  6. Florian Gothe1999–now
19901995200020052010201520202025

Timeline

  1. Jun 15, 1987Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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