Sascha Riether

Sascha Riether (born 23 March 1983 in Lahr) is a German professional footballer who plays for Schalke 04. He plays as a right back.

Club career in Germany

Riether started his professional club career in the 2. Bundesliga in 2002 with SC Freiburg after progressing through their youth ranks. In his first season with the club he appeared in 23 league games, helping Freiburg become champions and secure promotion back into the Bundesliga. In over five seasons with the club, he made 139 appearances. Riether stayed with Freiburg until July 2007 when he was signed by VfL Wolfsburg for €500,000. Riether stayed with Wolfsburg until July 2011, helping the club achieve their first Bundesliga title in 2009. Riether was instrumental in the campaign, featuring in 28 league games as part of a solid defense helping his side record 10 straight Bundesliga victories, including a memorable 5–1 thrashing of Bayern Munich. Riether also helped on the attacking side of the undefeated run, scoring the game winner against Borussia Monchengladbach on 11 April. In July 2011, Riether was transferred to Bundesliga rivals Köln for €2.8 million. In his debut season with the club, he featured in 33 league fixtures as the side was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.

Fulham

On 6 July 2012, Riether moved to Fulham on a season-long loan deal from parent club 1. FC Köln, after they were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, reuniting with his former Wolfsburg teammate Ashkan Dejagah. After securing the move to his new club, Riether spoke of his delight for being able to suit up at Craven Cottage, "I remember Craven Cottage being a great stadium with great fans, and I hope I can go on to have a great season here." He made his Fulham debut on the first day of the season against Norwich, a 5–0 thumping of the Canaries at Craven Cottage.

On 10 November, Riether was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area and referee Phil Dowd awarded a 93rd-minute penalty to Arsenal with the game tied 3–3; Mikel Arteta's spot-kick was saved by Mark Schwarzer and Fulham escaped the Emirates with a point. Riether scored his first goal in the Premier League for Fulham in a 2–2 draw at Sunderland on 2 March 2013.

Following a successful debut season in England, Riether was voted as the club's Player of the Season by his fellow players, beating out the likes of top scorer Dimitar Berbatov and Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis. On 16 May, Riether agreed a permanent deal with Fulham for an undisclosed fee. He said "I am pleased after a first season in England and am focused on my other tasks in Fulham."

On 5 October 2013, Riether twice cleared shots off the line from fellow countryman Robert Huth as Fulham beat Stoke City 1–0 at home. Riether received much praise for his play and was recognized by Sky Sports as the game's "Man of the Match" for his endeavors. On 4 November, Riether was charged with violent conduct by the The FA after video evidence showed that he stamped on Manchester United player Adnan Januzaj in stoppage time of Fulham's 3–1 loss to United two days before.

Return to Freiburg

On 26 June 2014, Riether left relegated Fulham and rejoined his first club SC Freiburg for an undisclosed fee.

Schalke 04

Following Freiburg's relegation from the Bundesliga, Riether signed for Schalke 04 on 23 July 2015.

Riether made his debut with the German national team on 11 August 2010, in a friendly against Denmark. Riether played 34 minutes coming on as substitute for Andreas Beck, as the match finished in a 2–2 draw. To date, Riether's only other appearance with the national side was on 7 September 2010, playing the full 90 minutes of a 6–1 thumping of Azerbaijan in a Euro 2012 qualifying match.

As of 1 January 2017.

• 1.^ Includes German FA Cup and English FA Cup.
• 2.^ Includes English League Cup.
• 3.^ Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League.

• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• ^ "Sascha Riether » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 
• "Sascha Riether". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 8 December 2015. 

Club

• Bundesliga: 2008–09

Individual

• Fulham Players' Player of the Year: 2012–13