Mats Julian Hummels (born 16 December 1988) is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team.
He came through the Bayern Munich youth academy before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January 2008 and officially signing for Dortmund in February 2009 for €4 million. His career highlights at the club include two league titles and finishing as the runner-up in the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League. In May 2016, Hummels signed a contract with former side Bayern, which took effect on 1 July 2016.
Hummels has been part of the German national team since 2010, earning over 70 caps to date and representing Germany at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, and at UEFA Euro 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Club career
Bayern Munich: Youth, and 2006–2008
Hummels is a product of Bayern Munich's youth academy, first entering the club as a six-year-old. He signed his first professional contract on 19 December 2006, until 2010. On 19 May 2007, in the season's final match, he played his first Bundesliga match with the first team in a 5–2 home routing of 1. FSV Mainz 05. He also played for the reserve team. He played in one match during the 2005–06 season, 31 matches during the 2006–07 season, and 10 matches during the 2007–08 season.
Borussia Dortmund: 2008–2016
In January 2008, Hummels joined Borussia Dortmund, initially on loan. He finished the 2007–08 season with 16 matches played. During his first full season, he quickly established himself as first-choice, as he often partnered newly signed Neven Subotić, but also missed a great part of its final months due to injury. In February 2009, he was fully signed to the club for a fee of €4 million. He finished the 2008–09 season with a goal in 14 matches played. During the following season, Hummels scored five goals in 33 matches played.
The 2010–11 season brought increased success for Hummels. He was the regular first-choice centre-back, again paired with Subotić. The duo helped Dortmund to the best defensive record in the Bundesliga, as the team won the league title. Hummels' performances that season displayed great quality in tackling, positioning, passing and composure. He attracted praise from pundits and coaches alike, and he was considered one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, and in Europe. Hummels finished the 2010–11 season with six goals in 42 matches played.
Hummels won the Bundesliga for a second time in 2011–12 as Dortmund set a Bundesliga record with the most points in a Bundesliga season with 81 points. Hummels scored a goal in Dortmund's 5–2 win against Bayern in the 2012 DFB-Pokal Final as the team completed the league and cup double. On 3 June 2012, Hummels signed a new contract that will keep him at Dortmund until the summer of 2017.
On 25 May 2013, Hummels was in the Borussia Dortmund line-up that was defeated 2–1 by Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium, London, in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final.
On 27 July 2013, Hummels was in the Borussia Dortmund line-up that won 4–2 against Bayern Munich at BVB's Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, in the 2013 DFL-Supercup.
Hummels finished his Borussia Dortmund career with two goals in 32 matches played in the 2014–15 season and three goals in 50 matches played during the 2015–16 season.