Bernd Schipmann Bio
Bernd Dizon Schipmann (born 5 July 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Standing 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) tall, he is currently signed with USL League One club Fort Wayne FC, where he wears the number 1 shirt. Born and raised in Münster, Germany, he represents the Philippines at the international level after choosing to follow his mother’s heritage. Over the course of his career, he has built experience across German reserve teams, a spell in the Thai top flight, and the American lower divisions.
Early Life and Background
Bernd Dizon Schipmann was born on 5 July 1994 in Münster, a historic city in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. He grew up in a mixed-heritage household, with a German father and a Filipino mother who is a native of Pagadian, in the province of Zamboanga del Sur in the southern Philippines. This family background gave him dual nationality eligibility from a young age, allowing him the option of representing either Germany or the Philippines in international competition.
From his earliest years, Schipmann was drawn to football in the local Münster sporting scene, eventually entering the organized youth setup at SC Greven 09, a community club based in the nearby town of Greven. His height and reflexes quickly marked him out for the goalkeeper position, and his development at Greven was strong enough to attract the attention of larger regional academies.
Path to Soccer
Schipmann’s youth pathway reflected a steady climb through the German football pyramid. In 2008, he left SC Greven 09 to join the academy of Osnabrück, a traditional 2. Bundesliga club, where he spent two seasons refining his technical foundations. In 2010, he earned a move to one of the country’s most prestigious development systems at Eintracht Frankfurt, training alongside future Bundesliga professionals for two years.
In 2012, Schipmann completed his youth journey at the academy of Schalke 04, one of Germany’s most storied clubs. The move to the Royal Blues’ youth ranks placed him in a high-performance environment with elite coaching staff and modern training facilities. After one season in Schalke’s U19 setup, he was promoted to the club’s reserve side in 2013, officially beginning his senior career.
Bernd Schipmann Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Schipmann’s first professional chapter came at Schalke 04 II, the reserve team of the Gelsenkirchen club, where he featured between 2013 and 2015. Working under experienced coaches in Germany’s reserve league system, he developed the tactical discipline required of a modern goalkeeper and gained valuable minutes against senior opposition.
In 2015, after two seasons in Gelsenkirchen, Schipmann joined Holstein Kiel on a free transfer, signing with the 2. Bundesliga club. Although he spent the majority of his time with the reserve squad, training daily with the first-team environment provided him with a higher level of competition and exposure to professional matchday routines. He remained with the Kiel organization until 2018, when his contract expired.
Holstein Kiel Era (2015–2018)
Joining Holstein Kiel represented Schipmann’s first association with a club competing in Germany’s professional second tier. The move allowed him to train within a setup pushing for promotion to the Bundesliga and to study the habits of established senior keepers. Although first-team minutes proved limited, his reserve-team performances kept him on the club’s radar for three full seasons.
Rot Weiss Ahlen Era (2018–2021)
Following the end of his contract at Holstein Kiel, Schipmann signed with Rot Weiss Ahlen of the Oberliga Westfalen in 2018 on a free transfer. The fifth tier of German football provided a setting where he could serve as a first-choice goalkeeper rather than a reserve, and he featured regularly for the club over a three-year spell. His time at Ahlen stabilized his career and rebuilt his confidence as a senior starter.
Ratchaburi Era (2021–2022)
In 2021, Schipmann embarked on his first professional stint outside Europe by signing with Ratchaburi F.C. of the Thai League 1. The move to Southeast Asia offered a new cultural and footballing environment, and he joined the club ahead of their 2021–22 season. Competing in one of Asia’s most established domestic leagues added an international dimension to his résumé.
Forward Madison Era (2023–2025)
Prior to their 2023 season, USL League One club Forward Madison announced the signing of Schipmann. The American third tier introduced him to the rhythms of the North American game, including the heavy summer schedule and the physical demands of cross-country travel. He established himself as a reliable presence in the Madison goal during his two seasons with the club, contributing to the team’s defensive structure through 2024 and 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a goalkeeper, Schipmann combines his 1.94 m frame with strong command of his penalty area, making him effective in aerial duels and crosses. His training in elite German academies is reflected in his distribution and his comfort playing out from the back, while his career path through multiple leagues demonstrates adaptability and mental resilience.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Schipmann’s career came on 7 June 2021, when he made his senior international debut for the Philippines in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against China PR. The match, which the Philippines lost 2–0, included a notable incident in which Schipmann collided with Wu Lei inside the box. Four days later, he recorded his first international clean sheet in a 3–0 win over Guam.
Bernd Schipmann Career Wins
Throughout his career, Bernd Dizon Schipmann has built a steady résumé as a reliable goalkeeper across multiple leagues. His achievements have come primarily through consistent service to his clubs rather than headline-making trophy hauls, reflecting his role as a dependable presence between the posts.
Other Wins & Performances
While no major senior club honours are confirmed in available records, Schipmann’s time at Holstein Kiel is associated with the reserve team programme that supported the senior side’s promotion push from the 2. Bundesliga. His international milestone of a clean sheet against Guam in June 2021 stands as one of the most prominent achievements of his career with the Philippines national team.
Bernd Schipmann Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Bernd Dizon Schipmann was raised in Münster, Germany, by a German father and a Filipino mother originally from Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur. This mixed heritage shaped both his personal identity and his footballing future, ultimately leading him to represent the Philippines at senior international level.
Personal Life
Beyond his career on the pitch, Schipmann is known for embracing his dual German-Filipino identity, a connection that has guided his international choice and his willingness to play professionally in Asia and North America. His journey reflects the modern path of many footballers who build careers across continents while honoring their family roots.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season with Forward Madison, Schipmann continued to serve as a first-choice goalkeeper in USL League One, providing experience and stability to the club’s back line. The campaign added another year of consistent minutes to his North American résumé and showcased his shot-stopping reliability against a wide range of opponents.
Following the conclusion of his time at Madison, a new chapter opened on 24 January 2026, when it was announced that Schipmann had signed with Fort Wayne FC for the club’s inaugural USL League One season. The move positions him as a veteran presence in a brand-new project and offers an opportunity to compete for a starting role in the expansion side’s debut campaign.
With Fort Wayne FC set to begin its first USL League One season, Schipmann’s outlook centers on cementing his status as a leader in the new squad. His blend of German academy training, international experience with the Philippines, and familiarity with the USL League One environment makes him a strong candidate to anchor the club’s goalkeeping unit from day one.