Timothy Justin Tillman Bio
Timothy Justin Tillman is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Born in Nuremberg, Germany, he represents the United States national team at the senior international level after a one-time FIFA-approved switch from Germany. He wears the number 11 shirt for Los Angeles FC and has built a career that spans German reserve football, the Bundesliga, and Major League Soccer.
Standing at 1.83 meters (6 feet 0 inches), Tillman is recognized as a versatile midfielder with experience at both youth and senior levels of the game. He began his professional journey in the German football pyramid before transitioning to Major League Soccer in early 2023.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Justin Tillman was born on January 4, 1999, in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany. He is the son of an African-American father, who served in the United States Armed Forces, and a German mother. After his parents separated, Tillman was raised by his single mother in Fürth, a city in northern Bavaria near Nuremberg. He holds dual citizenship of Germany and the United States, which later allowed him to make a one-time switch between national teams.
Tillman grew up alongside his younger brother, Malik Tillman, who is also a professional footballer. Malik Tillman came through the same Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich youth setups and currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, representing the United States at senior level. The brothers share a deep footballing background rooted in the Bavarian region of Germany.
Tillman began his youth career with ASV Zirndorf before moving to 1. SC Feucht in 2007. After two seasons at Feucht, he joined the youth setup of Greuther Fürth in 2009, where his talents began to attract wider attention from top German clubs.
Path to Soccer
In 2015, Tillman transferred from Greuther Fürth to the youth academy of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich in a deal reported at €500,000. Upon his departure, Greuther Fürth president Helmut Hack described Tillman as the biggest talent the club had produced in thirty years, calling his exit a catastrophe for Fürth.
During the 2016–17 season, Tillman won the A-Junioren Bundesliga Süd/Südwest with Bayern Munich’s under-19 team, scoring five goals across the campaign. Bayern advanced to the championship final, where Tillman scored in the semi-final second leg against Schalke 04 before the team ultimately lost to Borussia Dortmund 8–7 on penalties.
He also represented Germany at multiple youth international levels, including the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 teams. In January 2018, it was announced that Tillman intended to switch his senior international allegiance to the United States, a process that was later completed in May 2023.
Timothy Justin Tillman Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Tillman began his senior career with Bayern Munich II in the 2017–18 season, making his Regionalliga Bayern debut on July 14, 2017, in a 5–0 home win over FC Ingolstadt II. He scored his first goal for the reserve side on September 13, 2017, netting Bayern’s second in a 2–1 away win at 1. FC Nürnberg II. He finished that campaign with 31 appearances and six goals in the Regionalliga.
On July 2, 2018, Tillman joined Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg on loan for the 2018–19 season. He initially featured for the reserve team in the Regionalliga Bayern before making his professional first-team debut on March 10, 2019, in the Bundesliga against 1899 Hoffenheim, where he came on as a substitute for the injured Enrico Valentini.
Greuther Fürth Return (2020–2023)
On January 3, 2020, Tillman secured a return to his boyhood club Greuther Fürth after requesting a transfer from Bayern Munich, with both clubs declining to disclose the fee. The move brought him back to a familiar environment where he had spent six years as a youth player.
During his time at Greuther Fürth, Tillman continued his development in the 2. Bundesliga and contributed to the team’s promotion efforts. He made his club debut for the senior side on September 24, 2021, against Bayern Munich, marking a full-circle moment against his former employer. He remained with Greuther Fürth through 2023 before opting for a new challenge abroad.
Los Angeles FC Era (2023–Present)
On February 10, 2023, Tillman signed a two-year contract with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC, beginning a new chapter in his career in the United States. The move reunited him with the country of his father’s heritage and positioned him as part of a growing group of dual-national players choosing to play in MLS.
On September 18, 2025, Tillman signed a contract extension with Los Angeles FC that runs through 2028, with an option for an additional year. The extension reflected his importance to the squad and his continued growth within the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tillman is recognized for his versatility across midfield positions, comfortable operating in both central and attacking roles. His background in German football development has given him strong tactical awareness, technical passing ability, and the conditioning required for high-pressing systems. He combines creative distribution with the work rate expected in modern midfield units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Tillman’s career include winning the A-Junioren Bundesliga Süd/Südwest with Bayern Munich’s under-19s in 2017, his Bundesliga debut with 1. FC Nürnberg in March 2019, and his senior debut for the United States national team on January 20, 2024, in a friendly against Slovenia. His FIFA-approved one-time switch from Germany to the United States, confirmed on May 12, 2023, stands as a defining moment in his international journey.
Timothy Justin Tillman Career Wins
Timothy Justin Tillman has accumulated notable team honors across his time with Bayern Munich’s reserve and youth setups and his tenure with Los Angeles FC. His most prominent team trophy came during the 2016–17 season, when he helped Bayern Munich’s under-19 side win the A-Junioren Bundesliga Süd/Südwest.
Los Angeles FC Highlights
Since joining Los Angeles FC in 2023, Tillman has been a regular contributor to the squad’s midfield. His performances contributed to the club’s continued competitiveness in Major League Soccer, including appearances in cup competitions. He signed a contract extension through 2028, signaling the club’s confidence in his role moving forward.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond club football, Tillman has represented the United States at the senior international level since January 2024, building on his earlier youth experience with Germany. His combined achievements at youth and senior levels reflect a steady progression through professional football.
Timothy Justin Tillman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tillman comes from a mixed-heritage family, with an African-American father who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and a German mother. He was raised by his single mother in Fürth, Germany, and holds dual citizenship of Germany and the United States.
Personal Life
Tillman’s younger brother, Malik Tillman, is also a professional footballer. Malik came through the Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich youth systems and currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, representing the United States at the senior international level. The Tillman brothers share both Bavarian football roots and American national team representation.
2025 Season Performance
Timothy Justin Tillman entered the 2025 season as an established midfield presence for Los Angeles FC. After his contract extension through 2028, he continued to feature regularly in Major League Soccer matches, contributing to LAFC’s midfield rotation across league and cup fixtures.
His senior role with the United States national team, established in January 2024, also remained active during 2025, allowing him to balance club commitments with international call-ups. His familiarity with both American and European football systems made him a valuable connector in LAFC’s tactical setup.
Looking ahead, Tillman’s long-term contract and his continued integration into the LAFC project position him as a key figure in the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the decade. His dual-national background and midfield versatility provide both squad stability and tactical flexibility for the seasons to come.
