Eduard Löwen Bio
Eduard Löwen is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club St. Louis City SC, where he wears the number 10 shirt. Born on 28 January 1997 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, he began his senior career with 1. FC Nürnberg in 2016 and has since built a reputation as a composed passer and creative presence in central midfield. Across spells in German football and Major League Soccer, Löwen has been recognized for his technical quality and consistency on the ball.
Standing 1.88 meters tall, Löwen combines physical presence with a calm, possession-oriented style that has suited both Bundesliga and MLS demands. After loan moves away from Hertha BSC, he made the move to North America in 2022 ahead of St. Louis City SC’s inaugural season and quickly became a central figure for the expansion club.
Early Life and Background
Eduard Löwen was born on 28 January 1997 in Idar-Oberstein, a town in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. He is of Russia German descent, a heritage that connects his family background to communities of Germans who settled historically in Russia before returning to Germany.
As a youth, Löwen played for local club SV Hottenbach before joining the academy of 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2008, where he developed through the club’s youth ranks for seven years. In 2015, he moved on to 1. FC Saarbrücken’s youth setup, finishing his developmental pathway there before stepping into senior football the following year.
Path to Soccer
Löwen’s route into professional football began with 1. FC Nürnberg II in 2016, where he quickly earned trust in the reserve side. His performances were strong enough to push him into the first team during the 2016-2017 campaign, when he made 11 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga while also featuring 14 times for the reserves.
Over the next two seasons with the senior Nürnberg squad, Löwen established himself as a reliable midfield option and was part of the team that won promotion to the Bundesliga in 2018-2019. That breakthrough on the pitch drew attention from larger German clubs and set the stage for a high-profile move.
Eduard Löwen Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
Löwen made his professional debut with 1. FC Nürnberg II in 2016, and within a year he was contributing to the first team in Germany’s second tier. Across the 2017-2019 period, he grew into a regular in the Nürnberg midfield, learning the tempo and physical demands of senior football while helping the club push for promotion.
That work paid off in 2018-2019, when Nürnberg returned to the Bundesliga and Löwen featured as part of the squad during the campaign. His displays caught the eye of Hertha BSC, who signed him in the summer of 2019 for a reported transfer fee of 7 million Euros.
Hertha BSC Move (2019-2022)
Löwen joined Hertha BSC ahead of the 2019-2020 Bundesliga season and initially split his time between the senior squad and the reserve team, Hertha BSC II. The move represented a step up in competition, and he looked to establish himself in a crowded Berlin midfield.
To gain regular minutes, Löwen was loaned out to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg in 2020 and then to VfL Bochum for the 2021-2022 campaign. Those loan spells allowed him to play consistent top-flight football, refine his game management, and return to Hertha with broader experience before his eventual departure.
St. Louis City SC Era (2022-Present)
On 24 June 2022, Löwen signed a contract with Major League Soccer expansion club St. Louis City SC, agreeing to a deal that runs through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. He initially linked up with the club’s second team, St. Louis City 2, in 2022 before joining the first-team roster ahead of their inaugural 2023 campaign.
Löwen made an immediate impact in Major League Soccer. In week two of the 2023 season, he was named to the league’s Team of the Matchday after scoring the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC. Across his first year with City SC, he earned praise for his creativity, versatility, and field awareness, frequently ranking among the most impactful players on the pitch. He finished as a finalist for MLS’ Newcomer of the Year, placing third behind Lionel Messi and winner Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Playing Style and Strengths
Löwen is a central midfielder who relies on calm distribution, line-breaking passing, and positional discipline rather than pace or physical duels. His 1.88-meter frame helps him shield the ball under pressure, while his reading of the game allows him to dictate tempo and link defense with attack. At St. Louis City SC, he has served as a tempo-setter and creative hub, using his composure in tight spaces to keep possession moving.
Notable Events and Milestones
Löwen’s move to Major League Soccer in 2022 marked a milestone as he became part of St. Louis City SC’s first-ever roster. His game-winning goal and Team of the Matchday selection in week two of the 2023 season announced him quickly to American audiences, while his Newcomer of the Year finalist finish confirmed his standing as one of the league’s most influential arrivals that year.
Eduard Löwen International Career
Löwen has represented Germany at youth international level, featuring for the Germany U20 side in 2017 and the Germany U21 team between 2017 and 2019. He was part of the Germany U21 squad that finished as runner-up at the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In 2021, he also received a call-up to the Germany Olympic team.
Eduard Löwen Family
Family Background and Lineage
Löwen is of Russia German descent, a heritage shared by many families from regions of the former Soviet Union who resettled in Germany. He grew up in Idar-Oberstein and came through local youth setups before moving into the academy system at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Personal Life
Löwen is married to his wife, Ilona. During the 2024 MLS season, he took an extended leave of absence from St. Louis City SC to be with Ilona as she underwent treatment for brain cancer. His wife passed away on 9 March 2026.
2025 Season Performance
Löwen entered the 2025 MLS season as a central figure in the St. Louis City SC midfield, continuing his role as a tempo-setter and creative presence. After a 2024 campaign interrupted by a hamstring injury and a personal leave, he looked to re-establish full fitness and consistent availability across the year.
His passing range, composure under pressure, and ability to connect defense with attack remained central to how City SC build play. As an experienced Bundesliga and MLS midfielder, Löwen continued to serve as a leader in the dressing room and a reference point for younger players around him.
Heading into the stretch run of the 2025 season, Löwen’s focus was on helping St. Louis City SC climb the standings and push toward a playoff spot. With his contract running through 2026, the club viewed him as a cornerstone of its long-term project, blending European know-how with the league’s growing style of play.