1.08.2024Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month IV: Frank Hejduk will be 50

Frank ‘Frankie’ Hejduk was born on 5 August 1974 in California in the small town of La Mesa in San Diego County. Frankie went to the San Dieguito High School where he played in the football team. He was also a member of the successful La Jolla Nomads Soccer Club that won the Californian youth championship in 1989, 1990 and 1991. After high school, Hejduk went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He played to the UCLA Bruins for three seasons between 1992 and 1994. As a defender, he was the second top goalscorer in 1994 with six goals.

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In February 1996, ahead of the start of the first American professional league, the Major League Soccer (MLS), Frankie was signed by Tampa Bay Mutiny. He established himself as a regular first choice there. His good performances during the football tournament at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 brought him to the attention of clubs in Europe. One of those clubs was Bayer 04 Leverkusen. At the 1990 World Cup in France, Frankie Hejduk stood out in the first group match for the US Boys against Germany and shortly after that signs for Leverkusen.

There he became a regular starter at the end of the 1998/99 season as Bayer had a lot of injuries at that time. He made ten starts in the last eleven games and helped ensure Leverkusen a place in the Champions League. During that time he scored his only goal for our team.

He only made sporadic appearances in the Bundesliga in the following season. However, he did stand out with good performances in the Champions League. Frankie played a total of 28 games for Bayer 04 up to 2002. He won 85 caps for the USA between 1996 and 2009 and scored seven goals along the way. He also played for the USA Olympic team at the 2000 Olympic Games.

When he was at Bayer 04, Frankie liked to travel to the Dutch coast when he had the time. He is an enthusiastic surfer and was once National Junior High School surfing champion.

In August 2002, after not playing in the successful 2001/02 season for Bayer 04, Frankie went out on loan to FC St Gallen in Switzerland. He only played a few games there so he returned to the USA in 2003 to play for Columbus Crew in the MLS.

Frankie played up to 2011 finishing up at Los Angeles Galaxy. He ended his playing career in 2012 and returned to Columbus Crew. There he was a brand ambassador for the club and is still working with the club today.

With his wife Elissa he has three sons and one daughter.

Dear Frankie, many happy returns on your 50th and stay fit and healthy!

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