PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Flekken |
| Date of Birth | 13 June 1993 (Age: 33) |
| Place of Birth | Kerkrade, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Height | 1.94–1.95 m / 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 86–87 kg / 190–192 lbs |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Both |
| Squad Number | #1 (Leverkusen) |
| Current Club | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Previous Clubs | Alemannia Aachen, Greuther Fürth, MSV Duisburg, SC Freiburg, Brentford |
| International Caps | 8+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2028 |
| Market Value | €9.8M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands, three-time World Cup finalists, arrived in North America with expectations of a deep run. For Mark Flekken, the journey to the global stage had been one of perseverance—from the German third division to the Premier League, and finally to football’s greatest tournament.
When Ronald Koeman confirmed his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, Flekken was among the three goalkeepers selected alongside Remko Pasveer and Bart Verbruggen. The 33-year-old had just completed his first season at Bayer Leverkusen, returning to the Bundesliga after two impressive years in the Premier League with Brentford. Now, he was preparing to represent Oranje on the biggest stage of all.
The selection was the culmination of a remarkable journey. Flekken had started his professional career at Alemannia Aachen in the German third division, fighting relegation and bankruptcy. He had languished on the bench at Greuther Fürth, made only three league appearances in three years, and had to rebuild his career at MSV Duisburg. He had finally broken through at Freiburg, become one of the Bundesliga’s top goalkeepers, and earned a Premier League move at the age of 30. Now, he was going to the World Cup.
The boy from Kerkrade who had started as an outfield player—developing the passing range that would become his hallmark—had written one of the most remarkable stories in Dutch football.
Origins
Mark Flekken was born on June 13, 1993, in Kerkrade, Netherlands. His footballing journey began in the Dutch youth system, where he played for the academies of RKVV WDZ and Roda JC. At the age of 16, he moved to Germany to join Alemannia Aachen’s youth setup, a decision that would shape his professional career.
His development was unconventional for a goalkeeper—he started as an outfield player, which gave him a technical foundation that would later set him apart from his peers. “Some of it is natural, because I started out as an outfield player,” Flekken later explained. “That base layer that I developed back in the day when playing outfield has helped me, even to this day.”
The European Forge
Alemannia Aachen (2013-2014):
Flekken was handed his professional debut in January 2013 against FC Saarbrucken in the 3. Liga, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. He went on to make 13 more appearances that season. However, Alemannia Aachen were immediately relegated to the German fourth division after filing for bankruptcy, and Flekken was sold to 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth.
Greuther Fürth (2014-2016):
His time at Greuther Fürth was difficult. He made only three league appearances in three years and predominantly featured for the club’s second team in the Regionalliga Bayern, the German fourth tier. The period tested his resolve, but he refused to give up on his professional ambitions.
MSV Duisburg (2016-2018):
A move to MSV Duisburg proved transformative. In the 2016-17 season, Flekken kept 15 clean sheets and scored one goal—a backheel equaliser in the 90th minute—in 37 games as Duisburg won promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. The following season, he was instrumental in Duisburg’s seventh-place finish in their first season back in the German second division, making 31 league appearances.
SC Freiburg (2018-2023):
His performances at Duisburg earned him a move to Bundesliga side SC Freiburg. However, he had to wait until the last day of the 2018-19 season to make his first appearance and made only 11 league appearances the following term. In August 2020, following the departure of first-choice goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, Flekken claimed the starting role—but just before the start of the season, he dislocated his shoulder, which required surgery. He only played the remaining three league games.
His breakthrough finally came in the 2021-22 Bundesliga season. He amassed 32 league games and five fixtures in the DFB-Pokal as Freiburg reached the final, losing on penalties to RB Leipzig. The following season, Freiburg finished fifth in the Bundesliga and reached the Europa League round of 16 where they were knocked out by Juventus. Over his final two seasons at Freiburg, Flekken kept more clean sheets (23) than any goalkeeper in the Bundesliga.
Brentford (2023-2025):
In May 2023, Flekken joined Premier League side Brentford. The transition to English football was challenging. He struggled in his first six months, making mistakes and feeling the pressure of a new league, a new country, and the demands of being the replacement for the highly-rated David Raya. He worked with a mental coach to overcome his struggles, and his performances improved dramatically.
In February 2024, he won the Premier League Save of the Month award for a spectacular stop against Wolverhampton Wanderers. By the end of his Brentford career, he had made 77 appearances across all competitions, keeping 15 clean sheets and registering three assists—a rare achievement for a goalkeeper. Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles praised him as a “seamless replacement for David Raya.”
Bayer Leverkusen (2025-Present):
In June 2025, Flekken returned to Germany, signing for Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract. The move reunited him with the Bundesliga and offered Champions League football. Sporting Director Simon Rolfes described him as “one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past two years.” Under new manager Erik ten Hag, Flekken became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The 2025-26 season saw him make 24 Bundesliga appearances, keeping 5 clean sheets and conceding 34 goals. He recorded a 67.5% save percentage. In the Champions League, he made six appearances, conceding 12 goals with two clean sheets. His performances included a Player of the Match display against Manchester City, where he made nine saves in a 2-0 victory.
The Anatomy of His Game
Mark Flekken is a modern goalkeeper defined by his shot-stopping ability, confidence with the ball at his feet, and commanding presence.
In Possession:
Flekken’s distribution is one of his defining qualities. His outfield background gives him exceptional passing range. At Brentford, he recorded two assists in two seasons. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, his accurate long balls percentile was 17%. He recorded a 75.4% successful pass completion rate.
Out of Possession:
Flekken is a reliable shot-stopper. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, he made 50 saves with a 71.4% save percentage. He had a 67.52% save percentage, saving 79 of 117 shots faced. He kept 5 clean sheets in 24 games. His commanding presence in the penalty area is evident in his 6 punches and 7 high claims. His physical presence at 1.94–1.95 meters gives him an advantage in the air.
Psychological Edge:
Flekken’s resilience is perhaps his greatest attribute. His career has been defined by setbacks—being dropped at Greuther Fürth, a dislocated shoulder that threatened his place at Freiburg, a difficult start at Brentford—but he has consistently overcome them. His willingness to work with a mental coach to overcome his struggles at Brentford demonstrates a player committed to improvement. His advice to himself: “Patience is key.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Saves | Save% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 24 | 2,130 | 34 | 5 | 79 | 67.5% |
| Champions League | 6 | 540 | 12 | 2 | — | — |
| DFB-Pokal | 4 | 360 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| Netherlands | 2 | 180 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| TOTAL | 38 | 3,323 | 52 | 11 | — | — |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | Alemannia Aachen | 3. Liga | 14+ | — |
| 2014-16 | Greuther Fürth | 2. Bundesliga | 3 | — |
| 2016-17 | MSV Duisburg | 3. Liga | 37 | 15 |
| 2017-18 | MSV Duisburg | 2. Bundesliga | 31 | 9 |
| 2018-19 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 1 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 10 | 3 |
| 2020-21 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 3 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 32 | 11 |
| 2022-23 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 34 | 16 |
| 2023-24 | Brentford | Premier League | 37 | 7 |
| 2024-25 | Brentford | Premier League | 37 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | Bayer Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 24 | 5 |
TABLE C: International Record (2022-2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 2 | 2 | 180 | 2 |
| Friendlies | — | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 8+ | — | — | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Professional Debut | Alemannia Aachen vs FC Saarbrucken |
| 2016-17 | 3. Liga Winner | MSV Duisburg promotion |
| 2018 | Bundesliga Debut | SC Freiburg |
| 2021 | First Netherlands Call-Up | World Cup qualification squad |
| 2022 | International Debut | Denmark friendly |
| 2022 | DFB-Pokal Finalist | SC Freiburg |
| 2023 | Premier League Move | Brentford |
| 2024 | Premier League Save of the Month | February |
| 2024 | Euro 2024 Selection | Netherlands squad |
| 2025 | Bayer Leverkusen Move | Return to Bundesliga |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Netherlands 26-man squad |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable resilience and longevity. Flekken has played over 300 senior matches across four countries. His 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons at Freiburg established him as one of the Bundesliga’s top goalkeepers, with 23 clean sheets over two seasons. His Premier League career—74 appearances—demonstrated his ability to adapt to English football. His World Cup selection at age 33 represents the pinnacle of his career.
The Present Tense
Mark Flekken is 33 years old and in the prime of his career. He is Bayer Leverkusen’s first-choice goalkeeper, a Netherlands international, and a World Cup squad member.
The Leverkusen Story:
Flekken joined Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025 on a three-year contract. In the 2025-26 season, he made 24 Bundesliga appearances, keeping 5 clean sheets and saving 79 of 117 shots faced. He made 6 Champions League appearances and 4 DFB-Pokal appearances. His market value is estimated at €9.8M. He is under contract until 2028.
The World Cup Campaign:
Flekken was named in Ronald Koeman’s 26-man Netherlands squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining Remko Pasveer and Bart Verbruggen as the selected goalkeepers. The Netherlands will participate in Group F alongside Tunisia, Japan, and Sweden.
International Record:
Flekken has earned 8 caps for the Netherlands since his debut in March 2022 against Denmark. He was named in the Netherlands’ squad for Euro 2024 and has made appearances in World Cup qualifying matches.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Mark Flekken is defined by his journey from the German third division to the World Cup. Born in Kerkrade, Netherlands, he moved to Germany at 16 to pursue his footballing dream. His career has been marked by resilience—overcoming a dislocated shoulder, a difficult start at Brentford, and the demands of adapting to a new league and country.
His transition to the Premier League was particularly challenging. He struggled with the pace of the game and made uncharacteristic mistakes. He worked with a mental coach to overcome his struggles, saying: “I had that feeling coming off the pitch, knowing it shouldn’t have happened… That basic thing of closing your legs because from that tight angle, there was nowhere for him to go. Those small things added up. I wasn’t my complete self on the pitch.”
His personal life—relocating his young family, finding a new school for his children—added to the pressure. But he overcame those challenges to become one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers, earning praise from his coaches and a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Verdict from the Camp
Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen Sporting Director:
“Mark Flekken possesses a wide range of skills that a goalkeeper in modern top-flight football must possess. Mark exudes an impressive physical presence; from a footballing perspective, he has certainly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past two years.”
Phil Giles, Brentford Director of Football:
“Mark has proven to be a seamless replacement for David Raya, who set an extremely high standard during his years with us. Mark has done a great job for us and leaves with our thanks and support.”
Manu Sotelo, Brentford Goalkeeper Coach:
“Mark was a great no.1 for us on and off the pitch. Despite a tough beginning, he ended up being a really important player. Offensively, he helped us to play from the back on another level… Defensively, he became a really solid goalkeeper after an uncomfortable transition. The Premier league is ruthless, but he became one of the best goalkeepers in the league.”
Mark Flekken, on building chemistry with his defence:
“Patience is key. Patience and hard work. If the back line knows they have a goalkeeper behind them who can save the one shot that goes through them, those connections have to be built over time.”
Mark Flekken, on his Brentford transformation:
“Tiny little bits helped me get back to the leader I know I can be. Those little things helped me get on top of everything.”
Where Next?
Mark Flekken is 33 years old and entering the latter stages of his career. He is established at Bayer Leverkusen, a Netherlands international, and a World Cup performer.
For the Netherlands, he represents experience and depth in the goalkeeping position. His selection for the 2026 World Cup reflects the confidence of Ronald Koeman. With 8+ caps and a World Cup campaign ahead, he will be a valuable presence in the squad.
For Bayer Leverkusen, he is the first-choice goalkeeper and a key player. His 2025-26 season—24 appearances, 5 clean sheets, 67.5% save percentage—has established him as the club’s number one. With his contract running until 2028, he is central to the club’s ambitions in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from the German third division to the Premier League, and from there to the World Cup. He has earned his place through resilience, patience, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. The boy from Kerkrade who started as an outfield player has become a Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper, a Netherlands international, and a World Cup performer.
From Alemannia Aachen to Greuther Fürth, from MSV Duisburg to SC Freiburg, from Brentford to Bayer Leverkusen and the World Cup, Mark Flekken’s journey is a story of perseverance, patience, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
