Back
1.10.2024Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month five: Torben Hoffmann is 50

Torben Hoffman was born in Kiel on 27 October 1974. In his youth he played for TuS Schwarz-Weiß Elmschershagen. The qualified policeman joined Holstein Kiel in 1993. Two years later he moved on to VfB Lübeck in Bundesliga two. After relegation with Lübeck in 1997 he came to attention of SC Freiburg and they signed the defender. The team relegated from the Bundesliga went straight back up with Torben who moved under the Bayer Cross in 1999 after another year in the Bundesliga. However, he was unable to establish himself at Leverkusen making only sporadic appearances and he was rarely in the starting XI. He played in a total of 30 games for the Werkself.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

After 18 months at the Werkself, he joined 1860 Munich in January 2001. When they were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2004 Torben went into the second division but joined Eintracht Frankfurt for a year and the team from Hessen won promotion. Torben opted to remain in the lower league and rejoined 1860 Munich. He stayed there for the next five years. In 2010 he played for third division SpVgg Unterhaching for a year before ending his playing career.

Today Torben is a reporter at Sky Sport News HD where he is primarily responsible for South Germany and Austria.

Dear Torben, Happy 50th birthday. Have a good one and stay healthy.

Related News

Zoltan Sebescen
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Birthday boy of the month: Zoltan Sebescen turns 50

Zoltan Sebescen was born on 1 October 1975 in Ehingen and he started playing football as a child. His talent stood out early on and he was accepted into the youth section at Stuttgarter Kickers in 1982. There he progressed through all the youth teams and continued to develop. His breakthrough in the men's game came in the mid-1990s, when he moved up to the Kickers first team squad. With his speed, dynamism and attacking drive, he soon made a name for himself beyond the region. He and his team were promoted from the Regional League South to Bundesliga 2 in 1996 and stayed in the league with Stuttgart for three years.

Show more
Jens Nowotny
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Legends: Jens ‘Jenne’ Nowotny

Jens Nowotny was born on 11 January 1974 in Malsch, Baden-Württemberg. As a youngster, he played for SV Spielberg and Germania Friedrichstal and later joined the youth section at Karlsruher SC. As a 15-year-old, he became an integral part of the DFB national youth set-up and played for all of the Germany junior teams. One highlight was an U15 international against England at Wembley.

Show more
Bayer 04 gegen Stuttgart am 24. Oktober 2015
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Match of the month: 10 years ago - Two memorable games within four days

It is Tuesday, 20 October 2015 - a Champions League night at the BayArena. The visitors: AS Roma. What awaits the spectators is a memorable football match full of drama, speed and emotion. The Werkself get off to a flying start and literally overrun the slightly favoured Italians in the early stages. The scoreline was 2-0 after just twenty minutes - both goals were scored by Mexico international Chicharito. Bayer 04 put the visitors under constant pressure with their aggressive pressing and bold attacking play and even had a chance to make it 3-0. Then the AS Roma captain Daniele De Rossi brought his team back into the game with a brace making it 2-2 at half-time.

Show more
Karim Bellarabi
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

Goals of the month: From Vöge to Bellarabi

In the video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of October. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more
Bayer 04 1960/61
Bayer 04 - 01.10.2025

From the archives: 65 years ago - Pokal upset in Schlebusch

On 23 October 1960, a highly anticipated local derby took place in the DFB Pokal, which the team had to qualify for via the regional association cup competitions at the time: SV Schlebusch hosted the Werkself from Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Around 2,000 spectators flocked to the "Am Bühl" stadium to watch the game kicking off at 3 pm.

Show more