Kempes Waldemar Tekiela Bio
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela (born 15 October 1997) is a German professional footballer who plays as a forward. Standing 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, he is recognised for his left-footed striking ability and has competed across multiple European leagues before moving to the United States. Tekiela is currently a member of a USL League One club and continues his professional career at the third tier of American soccer.
A native of Iserlohn in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Tekiela is of Polish descent. He began his senior career in the lower divisions of German football and steadily built a reputation as a capable goal-scorer during loan and permanent moves abroad.
Early Life and Background
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela was born on 15 October 1997 in Iserlohn, Germany. The city, located in the Sauerland region, has a long tradition of producing athletes across several sports, and Tekiela grew up immersed in that competitive environment. From an early age, football became the central focus of his sporting life.
Tekiela is of Polish descent, a heritage that has shaped elements of his personal identity. His upbringing in Iserlohn exposed him to organised youth football, where he developed the technical foundation that would later define his career as a forward. Details about his formal education are not publicly documented in available sources.
Path to Soccer
Tekiela entered senior football in 2017 with FC Kray, a club based in Essen that competes in the lower tiers of German football. His time at FC Kray was brief, but it provided the platform for his first sustained appearances at the adult level and helped him attract attention from bigger clubs in the region.
Later that same year, he moved to Westfalia Rhynern, another club in the regional German football pyramid. These formative moves between regional sides were typical for young German forwards seeking regular playing time. By 2018, his performances had earned him a step up to the reserve system of one of Germany’s most recognisable clubs, marking the beginning of his rise into more competitive professional environments.
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela began his senior career at FC Kray during the 2017 season. His debut at that level offered him valuable minutes and allowed him to adjust to the physical and tactical demands of men’s football. The spell was short, but it laid the groundwork for a quick move to Westfalia Rhynern later in 2017.
At Westfalia Rhynern, Tekiela continued to develop as a forward and remained with the club through the 2018 season. These early experiences in the regional leagues helped him refine the finishing and movement that would later become trademarks of his play. By the end of 2018, he had earned a transfer to a much larger organisation.
Borussia Dortmund II Era (2018-2021)
In 2018, Tekiela signed for Borussia Dortmund II, the reserve team of Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund. The move represented a significant step forward, as the reserve side competes in the higher divisions of German football and regularly produces talent for the senior squad. Playing in that environment sharpened his competitive instincts.
During his time registered with Borussia Dortmund II, Tekiela was loaned to Progrès Niederkorn in Luxembourg from 2019 to 2021. At Progrès Niederkorn, he flourished as a striker, with contemporary reports describing him as perhaps slowly establishing himself as the most formidable goalscorer that Niederkorn had had in a long time. His prolific spell in Luxembourg cemented his reputation as a reliable goal-scorer abroad.
Esbjerg fB Period (2021-2022)
Following his successful loan in Luxembourg, Tekiela made a permanent move to Danish club Esbjerg fB in 2021. The transfer marked his first sustained stint in a top-flight European league outside Germany. Competing in Denmark allowed him to test himself against different tactical styles and a new football culture.
He spent the 2021-2022 season with Esbjerg fB, continuing to operate primarily as a striker. The experience broadened his professional profile and added another country to a growing footballing CV that already included Germany and Luxembourg.
Union Titus Pétange and Move Abroad (2022-2024)
In 2022, Tekiela transferred to Union Titus Pétange in Luxembourg, where he played until 2023. The move reunited him with Luxembourgish football and gave him the chance to play regular first-team football once again. His performances there reinforced his standing as a dependable forward in the region.
On 17 January 2024, Tekiela joined American USL League One club One Knoxville, beginning a new chapter in his career in the United States. The move signalled his transition to North American soccer and introduced him to a growing third-tier league with ambitions of broader national relevance.
One Knoxville Era (2024-2025)
At One Knoxville, Tekiela established himself as a forward option within the squad. The Tennessee-based club competed in USL League One, and his arrival added European experience to their attacking line. His tenure there allowed him to adapt to the rhythms of the American soccer calendar.
Union Omaha Era (2026-Present)
In 2026, Tekiela signed for Union Omaha in USL League One, where he wears the number 22 shirt. The transfer represents the latest step in his American journey and reflects his continued ability to contribute at the professional level. His experience across multiple European leagues has prepared him well for the demands of USL competition.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tekiela mainly operates as a striker and is left-footed, a profile that allows him to cut in from the right side and strike with his stronger foot. His movement in the penalty area and finishing instincts have been central to his goal-scoring contributions throughout his career. His physical presence, supported by his 1.87 m frame, also helps him compete in aerial duels.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Tekiela’s career came during his loan at Progrès Niederkorn, where he earned recognition as one of the club’s most formidable goalscorers in recent memory. His move to the United States in January 2024 also stands as a milestone, marking his entry into professional soccer outside Europe.
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela Career Wins
Across his time in German regional football, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the United States, Tekiela has accumulated a varied record of competitive appearances and goals. His most celebrated spell in terms of goalscoring came at Progrès Niederkorn, where he consistently found the back of the net and earned notable praise from observers.
European Highlights
During his loan at Progrès Niederkorn from 2019 to 2021, Tekiela became a central figure in the team’s attack. His performances in Luxembourg remain the highlight of his European career to date, establishing him as a forward capable of leading a club’s scoring charts.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his standout spell in Luxembourg, Tekiela contributed at Borussia Dortmund II, Esbjerg fB, Union Titus Pétange, and One Knoxville. Each move added a new league and tactical environment to his experience, building a well-rounded professional profile.
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kempes Waldemar Tekiela is of Polish descent, a heritage connected to his upbringing in Iserlohn, Germany. Beyond this background, detailed information about his parents and extended family is not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Tekiela has a sister, and his personal life has occasionally drawn media attention outside of football. He has dated Germany’s Next Topmodel contestant Elisa Schattenberg. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under his own name.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Tekiela continued his career with One Knoxville in USL League One. The campaign offered him the opportunity to remain a regular contributor within the squad and to build on the adaptation he had begun the previous year. His experience as a European-trained forward provided a foundation for his role in the team.
As the season progressed, Tekiela worked to translate his European form into consistent performances in the American third tier. The USL League One schedule, with its summer-heavy calendar, required adjustment, but his professional background in Germany, Luxembourg, and Denmark gave him tools to manage the transition.
Looking ahead, his move to Union Omaha in 2026 marks the next phase of his career, and his 2025 results with One Knoxville will serve as a benchmark for that transition. With his proven goalscoring record and continued development, Tekiela remains a forward to watch in USL League One.