Thilo Kehrer, a footballer who takes great pride in his African Burundi heritage, has made significant strides in his life and career. His journey began years ago when his parents agreed to raise their kids in East Africa, aiming to connect them with their maternal roots. Although their time in Africa was brief, the family returned to Tübingen, Germany, just before the dawn of the new millennium in the year 2000.
Back in Germany, the Kehrer family settled in Pfäffingen, a district within the Ammerbuch municipality, west of Tübingen. It was here that Thilo’s passion for soccer took root. At the start of the new millennium, he began his football journey by joining the local youth club, TSG Tübingen. From that point on, Thilo’s dedication to the sport has been unwavering, leading him to pursue a path marked by relentless hard work and a steadfast commitment to his craft.
Now, let’s dive deeper into Thilo Kehrer’s life and career, exploring the early influences that shaped him into the player he is today.
Thilo Kehrer’s Inspiring Story: From Burundi Heritage to Football Excellence
Early Life and Family Roots:
To begin with, Thilo Kehrer was born on September 21, 1996, in Tübingen, Germany. He is of mixed race, with a German father and a Burundian mother who spent a significant part of their lives in Africa.
Thilo Kehrer grew up with his lovely sister Sarah (ex-boyfriend of Serge Gnabry) in Africa, first in Burundi and then in Rwanda (the country of Johan Bakayoko’s mum).
Although his mother is originally from Burundi, she and her husband’s father worked in the country for many years before they met and got married.
Growing up in these francophone countries gave their kids the ability to be fluent in the French language.
Thilo Kehrer Family Origin:
The German Defensive Genius, Thilo, a native of Tübingen, has his surname “Kehrer“, to be a rare German name usually borne by a native who resides in the mountainous areas of Switzerland, Bavaria, and Saxony.
The name appears to mean “someone living by a bend in a road“. In modern German, the name Kehrer means “cleaner“.
Thilo Kehrer’s parents decided to raise their kids in East Africa in order to familiarize them with their maternal family roots.
However, their stay was short-lived as the family returned to Tübingen, Germany, before the knock of the new Millennium (The year 2000).
Thilo Kehrer Hometown- Pfäffingen. Thilo Kehrer’s family briefly embraced East Africa to connect with their maternal heritage before heading back to Tübingen, Germany, just before the dawn of the new Millennium.
After returning, Thilo Kehrer’s family settled in Pfäffingen, a district within the Ammerbuch municipality, located to the west of Tübingen.
Thilo Kehrer Education:
While living there, he attended the town’s elementary school, where he played competitive sports and got his first sporting success.
Did You Know?…
“Thilo, during his elementary schooling days, was deemed the fastest in athletic activities. He was the only kid who could jump the furthest and run the fastest“.
This information was revealed by Armin Göhring, whose son went to the same school as Thilo and who lived about 300 meters away from his childhood home in Pfäffingen – Tagblatt’s Report.
Fortunately, Armin, who was the Football Department Leader in Thilo’s neighborhood, saw potential in him. Not only did he recognize Thilo’s talent, but he also encouraged him to concentrate fully on soccer, something that was well-supported by his school.
Soon, football became a regular hobby, and his determination to become a professional footballer led to him enrolling at a local club.
Thilo Kehrer Biography – Early Career Life:
At the knock of the new millennium, Thilo Kehrer’s career had just begun. His passion for soccer saw him enrolling on the roster of his local youth club, TSG Tübingen, where he had the best possible training for his new career.
Thilo Kehrer Early Years at TSG Tübingen. Credit to DFB.
Right from the onset, Kehrer was observed to be naturally two-footed. He was someone with highly flexible left and right feet.
Despite the accolade, Kehrer’s good start at the club was short-lived due to an issue that worried the club’s management.
This was a time they complained that he appeared and behaved too causal, unlike the rest of his teammates.
“KEHRER’S ROUTE WAS NOT ALWAYS STRAIGHT-FORWARD”,
Said Wolfgang Poerschke, who was working at the club’s football base and was responsible for Kehrer’s upkeep. He continued…
“For a while, he was too casual and forced the coaches not to nominate him.
Thankfully, Thilo recognized the signal and responded very positively, after which he returned with a changed attitude.”
At the age of 10 in the year 2006, Thilo Kehrer moved to SSV Reutlingen, another football academy, after he was assisted by a local coach, Albert Röcker.
This move happened after his family relocated to the area. Kehrer quickly rose through the ranks at the club. His best moment was when he led his youth club in winning a tournament in a talent competition.
Road to Fame:
The big change in Kehrer’s Youth Development happened when he got transferred to VfB Stuttgart in the year 2009.
The defence gem had a career jump with the club coupled with intense maturity. This was reflected in the choice of him being selected to represent his teammates in interviews.
Rise to Youth Captaincy:
After two successful years at VfB Stuttgart, Kehrer’s success saw him being captured by Schalke 04 youth system, a German club known for its pedigree in developing youth talents.
During his early Schalke days, young Kehrer met legendary youth coach Norbert Elgert, who is was responsible for moulding him into the footballer he has become today.
Norbert Elgert- The man behind Schalke Talents. Credit to AFP.
As observed from the photo above, Norbert Elgert didn’t just mould Kehrer. He was the one who raised other big stars, notably the likes of Leroy Sane, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Julian Draxler and Sead Kolasinac.
Kehrer stayed at Schalke for the remaining years of his youth, career-making serene progress through the Schalke 04 II system.
His youth career springboard came when he captained the Schalke 04 U19 juniors (with players like Leroy Sane) into winning the championship title and the Westfalen Cup.
Thilo Kehrer celebrates the Westfalen Cup victory with his teammates. Credit to Twitter.
With his strong performances, he convinced the club’s management, and he was allowed to train with the Schalke Senior team.
Thilo Kehrer Biography Facts – Rise to Fame Story:
Kehrer had to wait a while for his Schalke debut. Patience and determination became his watchwords during this period.
That first team opportunity finally came, he was allowed in the senior squad due to the shortage of defenders. Nastasic and Höwedes were not available, and Kehrer made his debut in the Bundesliga.
Did you know?…
Kehrer was ruthless in his defending and even scored in his debut against Thomas Tuchel’s Dortmund team in the biggest German derby clash (FC Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund).
Scoring against bitter rivals on home soil not only earned Kehrer fans’ affection but also raised his profile in the eyes of Thomas Tuchel (Current PSG Boss at the time of writing).
Kehrer didn’t just stop there. He also went on to win the U-21 Euro in 2017 as a captain.
A victorious moment for Thilo Kehrer and his German U21 teammates. They basked in the glory of their hard-earned trophy triumph.
At this point, he was reportedly monitored by a number of top European clubs. Among those was PSG, which was managed by Thomas Tuchel, whom Kehrer humiliated his former team.
Tuchel did all he could to get Thilo Kehrer, a transfer that saw him spending 37 million euros and breaking a Bundesliga record transfer.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Personality:
Getting to know Kehrer’s personal life off the pitch would help you get a complete picture of him. Starting off, Kehrer remains very down-to-earth to this day. He is someone who knows his roots. Also, his methodical approach to life ensures that nothing is left to chance.
As stated in his untold facts below, you’ll realize that Thilo Kehrer is a person with a tender heart and a deep sense of humanity.
Thilo Kehrer Family Facts:
Despite living his early life in Burundi and Rwanda, Thilo Kehrer adores every moment of his childhood life spent in Pfäffingen, Germany.
With paparazzi always on the prowl, Kehrer’s family, especially his parents, currently keep their lives away from the public eye with no traces of their photos on the web.
However, this is not true for Kehrer’s beautiful sister, Sarah.
Fact about Thilo Kehrer Family:
The football popular slang “WAGs“, which means Wives and girlfriends of high-profile footballers, has gained weight in recent times.
Thanks to her stunning beauty, Sarah Kehrer has started making the word “Sisters of” very interesting.
Thilo Kehrer Family Life: His Sister. Credit to Insta Stalker.
Sarah Kehrer is an influencer and German model with a huge fan base on Instagram, thanks to her complete collection of lovely bikinis.
During one of her visits to the capital of France, she once declared her love to the city, saying: “Paris, I love you“.
As of the time of writing, there are no traces of a “boyfriend” on her Instagram account.
As stated previously, Sarah Kehrer was once in a relationship with a German footballer and friend to her brother, Serge Gnabry, who is of German and Cote d’Ivoire origin.
In 2018, Sarah ended her relationship and formalized their breakup with Gnabry in the press, saying; “We realized that there was not enough connection between us.” Immediately afterwards, she removed all the photos of him on her Instagram.
LifeStyle:
Thilo Kehrer isn’t the type of footballer who lives the lavish lifestyle easily noticeable by a handful of pretty impressive cars, great houses, booze, swagger and beautiful girls.
With a current market value of 35,00 Million Euros and a huge weekly wage at PSG, it is possible for him to afford almost anything.
However, his ability to deal with fame is directly proportional to his ability to the way he handles the ball.
 Kehrer does not have time for extensive and expensive holidays. He lives a very simple lifestyle, as reflected in his own way of recreation.
Untold Facts:
He Remembers His Mother’s Family and Community:
Thilo Kehrer gives hope to the children in Africa- Credit to UnitedCharity.
Thilo Kehrer is one of the very few African-European footballers who have given back to their African homeland.
The AS Monaco star is committed to a good cause in Burundi, where he provides support to the peace and development organization “Kickoff to Hope“.
Through Kehrer’s support, all socially disadvantaged people in his mother’s homeland find hope through the financial and material assistance Kehrer provides.
He Once Played 90 Minutes with a Swollen Eye:
Thilo Kehrer once played with a swollen eye. Credit to Schalke04
From a clash with Robin Quaison during his Schalke days, Thilo Kehrer wore a thick blue eye. This happened as he played 90 minutes against Mainz. The injury did not prevent the defender from making header duels, as his great friend, Breel Embolo, praised him for bravery.
The Solidarity Transfer Contribution:
Thilo Kehrer’s contract has a solidarity contribution. According to FIFA regulations, this is a 5% fee. It gets activated when a professional player transfers to a club in another country.
His 37 million euro transfer saw PSG paying a solidarity contribution. The payment was made to all German clubs that contributed to his training and football education.
His Idols:
Thilo Kehrer has Sergio Ramos and Thiago Silva to be his most respected defenders. These were footballers he watched a lot while growing up.
Fact Check:
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