Kevin Friesenbichler

Kevin Friesenbichler (born 6 May 1994) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a forward for 2. Liga club DSV Leoben.

Club career Born in Weiz, Friesenbichler joined local team SC Weiz at the age of five before joining Austrian giants FK Austria Wien in 2008. After a year he moved on to Admira Mödling and in 2010, he joined German heavyweight Bayern Munich. For the then 16-year-old Bayern even paid a transfer fee believed to be €500,000. He enjoyed a debut hat-trick for their U17 side and spent subsequently three years playing for their U19 squad, scoring 27 goals in 37 appearances. His impressive form lead him to be promoted to FC Bayern Munich II for the 2012–13 Regionalliga season. However, it was the 2013–14 season that he arrived at the scene, scoring 15 goals in 22 appearances as Bayern Munich II topped their table.

On 22 May 2014, Friesenbichler signed a four-year deal with Portuguese champions Benfica on a free transfer. On 26 July 2014, he scored his first goal for Benfica B on his debut in a friendly match win (4–3) against Ajax II.

On 22 August 2014, after not even two months at Benfica, Friesenbichler was loaned to Polish side Lechia Gdańsk on a season-long deal. According to his father he wouldn't have had many chances to play for Benfica and was therefore looking to pick up match practice. He made his professional debut on 31 August 2014 against Ruch Chorzów (3–3), also scoring his first goal in process.

On 22 July 2015, Friesenbichler was loaned to Austria Wien for one season. Exactly a year later, the loan was extended by a further season. On 1 July 2017, he signed a permanent deal with the Austrian club.

On 2 July 2019, Friesenbichler joined VfL Osnabrück on a two-year deal.

In June 2023, Friesenbichler returned to Austria with DSV Leoben following a short spells in Latvia and Poland with RFS and Lechia Gdańsk respectively.

International career

On 14 August 2009, Friesenbichler made his debut for Austria U16 in an 8–0 victory over Liechtenstein U16, scoring 2 goals. He made his debut in competitive youth level international football on 18 November 2013 against Hungary in a 4–2 victory, in which he scored 1 goal.

Career statistics

Honours RFS Latvian Higher League: 2021 Latvian Football Cup: 2021