New record: Yann Sommer pulls level with Oscar Wendt

Yann Sommer has pulled level with Oscar Wendt as the top foreign appearance-maker in Borussia colours. The 32-year-old Swiss 'keeper could take the record outright as early as Wednesday when the Foals take on Eintracht Frankfurt at home (18:30 CET).

Yann Sommer played his 305th competitive match for Borussia on Saturday in Leipzig. It was his 244th appearance in the Bundesliga, meaning that the Swiss is now level with Oscar Wendt as the foreign player with the most games for Gladbach. The Swede, who left last summer after arriving at the club in 2011, also played exactly 244 Bundesliga matches for a total of 305 competitive games. Next on the list is the Dane Allan Simonsen, who notched 247 competitive matches. In fourth is the Belgian Filip Daems with 232 appearances.

Sommer, who could become the sole record holder on Wednesday against Eintracht Frankfurt (18:30 CET), joined Borussia in the summer of 2014 from FC Basel. Sommer replaced Marc-André ter Stegen, who had left for FC Barcelona, and played the full 90 minutes in all 48 competitive fixtures in his first season. Our number one also managed to keep 20 clean sheets in the 48 games as the Foals progressed to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and the second round of the UEFA Europa League. “For me it was a great chance to play in one of Europe’s biggest leagues – and it was a challenge to show that I was capable of being Marc-André ter Stegen’s successor,” said Sommer at the time.

“One of Europe’s best goalkeepers”

The man with 72 Switzerland caps first represented Borussia in the UEFA Champions League in 2015/16. Overall, Sommer has played 19 matches in the Pokal, 20 in the Europa League and 20 in the Champions League as well as two UCL qualifiers. The shot-stopper also played a crucial role as the Foals reached the Champions League knockout stage for the first time last season.

Sommer, who has also been vice-captain since 2018/19, extended his contract in November 2019. His deal now runs until 2023. “With his outstanding performances, Yann has made a huge contribution to our success in recent years. For me he is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe,” said sporting director Max Eberl back when the contract extension was signed. “He’s a leader for our team both on and off the pitch.