Mara Alber

Mara Alber (; born 6 September 2005) is a German professional footballer who plays as a left winger or forward for Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, on loan from Women's Super League side Chelsea, and the Germany under-23 national team. She previously played for TSG Hoffenheim, and on loan for Werder Bremen.

Early life Mara Alber was born on 6 September 2005 in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

Youth career Alber started playing football at local multi-sports club TGV Dürrenzimmern. She then spent a year playing for TSG Hoffenheim's under-14 team before joining VfB Eppingen. After three years with Eppingen, Alber spent a season each at FC Astoria Walldorf and SpVgg Neckarelz.

Club career

TSG Hoffenheim, 2021–25 On 12 May 2021, Alber, age 15, joined TSG Hoffenheim to play for their under-20 team in the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga.

Alber made her senior team—and Frauen-Bundesliga— debut in April 2022 during a 3–0 away win over Bayer Leverkusen. In March 2024, Alber prematurely extended her contract with Hoffenheim, which had been scheduled to expire in 2025; the new deal would run until 2026. In September 2024, Alber suffered a fractured ankle and underwent surgery, missing the majority of the 2024–25 season.

Chelsea, 2025– On 11 June 2025, Chelsea announced that, on 1 July 2025, Alber would join the side on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Chelsea's interest in Alber had been reported as early as December 2023 by German media. In August 2025, Alber was part of Chelsea's travelling squad for a training camp in the Netherlands; she scored during the team's 2–0 friendly victory over FC Utrecht.

Loan to Werder Bremen, 2026 On 6 January 2026, Alber joined Werder Bremen on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. Ahead of her loan, Alber had not made her competitive debut for Chelsea, and had only been named to the team's matchday squad twice.

Loan to VfL Wolfsburg, 2026– On 14 August 2026, it was announced that Alber would spend the 2026–27 season on loan at VfL Wolfsburg. On 26 August 2026, she made her club debut in Wolfsburg's 2–0 Champions League qualification victory over Inter Milan.

International career In 2022, Alber was a member of Germany's under-17 team who won the 2022 Under-17 Euro; in the final, Alber scored the 88th-minute equaliser which led Germany to victory over Spain through a penalty shoot-out win. She was the tournament's joint-top goalscorer. At the 2022 U-17 World Cup, Alber was awarded the Bronze Boot as Germany finished in fourth position.

Alber represented Germany's under-19 team at the 2023 Under-19 Euro. In the final, she was replaced by Miriam Hills in the final minute of added extra time; Germany were defeated by Spain in the penalty shoot-out.

Alber has represented Germany at the under-23 level since 2025. In June 2025, Alber scored for the team in a 2–1 loss to the USA.

Career statistics

Club

Honours Germany U17 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship: 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup runner-up: 2022

Germany U19 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2023

Individual Fritz Walter Medal U17 Silber: 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Bronze Ball: 2022