# Oliver Kahn

> German association football player (born 1969)

**Wikidata**: [Q131261](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131261)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Kahn)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oliver-kahn

## Summary

Oliver Kahn is a German former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper from 1987 to 2008. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, he is best known for his commanding presence in goal, reflexes, and leadership for Bayern Munich and the German national team. He earned numerous individual accolades including the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award multiple times and was a key figure in Germany's run to the 2002 FIFA World Cup final.

## Biography

- **Born:** June 15, 1969
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** FernUniversität in Hagen (Germany); Seeburg Castle University (Austria, founded 2007)
- **Known for:** Being one of the most successful and decorated goalkeepers in football history; known for his "Der Titan" nickname
- **Employer(s):** Bayern Munich (career span: 1994-2008); Karlsruher SC (1987-1994); Hamburger SV (1994)
- **Field(s):** Association Football (Goalkeeper)
- **Height:** 188 cm
- **Weight:** 90 kg

## Contributions

Oliver Kahn's career spanned over two decades at the highest level of professional football. His contributions include:

- **Club Career:** Played for Karlsruher SC (1987-1994), Hamburger SV (briefly in 1994), and Bayern Munich (1994-2008), where he became one of the most iconic goalkeepers in club history
- **National Team:** Key player for the German national team, appearing in multiple international tournaments
- **2002 World Cup:** Runner-up with Germany; won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player
- **Individual Awards:** Multiple-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper winner; German Footballer of the Year recipient; Golden Foot award winner; Silbernes Lorbeerblatt recipient (Germany's highest sports award)
- **Career Statistics:** Over 700 professional matches; consistent presence in goal for club and country across 20+ years

## FAQs

### What position did Oliver Kahn play?

Oliver Kahn played as a goalkeeper throughout his professional career, earning recognition as one of the best shot-stoppers in football history.

### Which clubs did Oliver Kahn play for?

Oliver Kahn played for Karlsruher SC (1987-1994), Hamburger SV (1994), and Bayern Munich (1994-2008).

### What awards did Oliver Kahn win?

Oliver Kahn won numerous awards including the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper (multiple times), German Footballer of the Year, the Golden Foot, the Silberses Lorbeerblatt (Germany's highest sports award), and the World Cup Golden Ball at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

### What is Oliver Kahn's nickname?

Oliver Kahn was nicknamed "Der Titan" (The Titan) due to his commanding presence and dominant performances in goal.

### When was Oliver Kahn born?

Oliver Kahn was born on June 15, 1969.

### What is Oliver Kahn's height and weight?

Oliver Kahn is 188 cm tall and weighs 90 kg.

### Did Oliver Kahn attend university?

Yes, Oliver Kahn was educated at FernUniversität in Hagen in Germany and Seeburg Castle University in Austria.

### What is Oliver Kahn's legacy?

Oliver Kahn is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, known for his reflexes, leadership, and competitive intensity. He influenced a generation of goalkeepers and remains an iconic figure in German football.

## Why They Matter

Oliver Kahn revolutionized the goalkeeper position in modern football through his aggressive playing style, exceptional reflexes, and mental toughness. His performances at Bayern Munich helped establish the club as a dominant force in European football, while his displays at the 2002 World Cup, where he nearly led Germany to victory despite being the runner-up, cemented his status as a legend of the sport. Kahn's intensity and winning mentality set new standards for goalkeepers, influencing how the position is played globally. Without his contributions, the evolution of the modern goalkeeper—who acts as a sweeper, commands the penalty area, and leads the defense—would have taken a different path. His competitive drive and ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments made him a role model for countless aspiring goalkeepers worldwide.

## Notable For

- Winning the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award multiple times
- Being named German Footballer of the Year
- Receiving the World Cup Golden Ball at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
- Winning the Golden Foot award for football excellence
- Receiving the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, Germany's highest sports award
- Playing over 700 professional matches during his career
- Being nicknamed "Der Titan" (The Titan)
- Serving as captain for both Bayern Munich and the German national team
- Maintaining exceptional consistency at the highest level for over two decades

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Oliver Kahn was born on June 15, 1969, in Germany. From an early age, he showed exceptional talent in football, particularly in the goalkeeper position. His physical attributes—standing at 188 cm with a commanding presence—combined with his reflexes and determination set him apart from a young age.

### Club Career

**Karlsruher SC (1987-1994):** Kahn began his professional career at Karlsruher SC in 1987, making his debut on November 27, 1987. During his seven years at the club, he developed into a top-tier goalkeeper, gaining valuable experience in Germany's top football division.

**Hamburger SV (1994):** In 1994, Kahn briefly played for Hamburger SV before his breakthrough move.

**Bayern Munich (1994-2008):** Kahn's career reached its peak at Bayern Munich, where he played from 1994 until his retirement in 2008. His final professional match was on May 27, 2008. At Bayern, Kahn became one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history, winning multiple Bundesliga titles and domestic cups. His consistency, leadership, and ability to make crucial saves in high-pressure situations made him an integral part of the team's success.

### International Career

Kahn was the starting goalkeeper for the German national team for many years. His most notable international performance came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he nearly led Germany to an unlikely World Cup victory. Despite Germany finishing as runners-up, Kahn's performances were exceptional, and he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player—the first time a goalkeeper won the award in World Cup history.

### Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Kahn received numerous individual accolades:

- **IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper:** Multiple-time winner of this prestigious award recognizing the best goalkeeper in the world
- **German Footballer of the Year:** Won this award recognizing the best German footballer
- **World Cup Golden Ball:** 2002 FIFA World Cup
- **Golden Foot:** Award based on athletic achievement and personality
- **Silbernes Lorbeerblatt:** Germany's highest sports award

### Physical Attributes

Kahn's physical profile made him ideally suited for goalkeeping:
- Height: 188 cm
- Weight: 90 kg

### Education

Beyond his football career, Kahn pursued higher education at:
- FernUniversität in Hagen (Germany's public distance-learning university, founded 1974)
- Seeburg Castle University (Private university in Seekirchen am Wallersee, Austria, founded 2007)

### Legacy and Influence

Oliver Kahn's impact on football extends beyond his trophies and awards. He redefined what it meant to be a modern goalkeeper, combining shot-stopping ability with leadership, communication, and the willingness to command his penalty area aggressively. His intense competitive nature and refusal to accept defeat made him a formidable opponent and a respected figure throughout football. Kahn's influence can be seen in the way subsequent generations of goalkeepers have approached the position, with many citing him as an inspiration. His success at both club and international level, combined with his numerous individual honors, ensures his place among the all-time greats of football.

## References

1. Transfermarkt
2. [Hamburger Abendblatt](https://www.abendblatt.de/vermischtes/article107723106/Dr-Kahn-Ex-Torhueter-will-vielleicht-promovieren.html)
3. [Der Spiegel](https://www.spiegel.de/lebenundlernen/uni/oliver-kahn-ueber-sein-studium-puuuh-es-ist-schon-heftig-a-724434.html)
4. Argentine Soccer Database
5. [Source](http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=82639/index.html)
6. [Source](http://de.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/golden-glove/intro.html)
7. [Source](https://goldenfoot.com/legends/)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Focus Online](https://www.focus.de/panorama/boulevard/steuerzahlungen-geschenke-oliver-kahn-ex-freundin-verena-kerth-aerger-finanzamt-2_id_3532876.html)
11. IMDb
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. UEFA.com
16. [Source](https://www.championat.com/football/article-3026097-oliver-kan-gorilla-buldog-pitekantrop.html)
17. [Source](https://www.dfb.de/news/en/e-bundesliga/zur-ersten-seite/15576.html)
18. kicker.de
19. BabelNet
20. Via P227 lookup with GND value from PM20 folder. 20th Century Press Archives