Born and raised in Bockholtz in the Netherlands on the border to Germany, Mark Flekken joined Alemannia Aachen from Roda JC Kerkrade at the age of 16. Starting in the youth section at the then second division club, his career progressed and he signed his first professional contract in September 2011. The tall shot-stopper became the first choice keeper for the senior side from the winter break in the third division in the 2012/13 season. At the end of that campaign he joined SpVgg Greuther Fürth where he made just three second division appearances in three years.
He then became the first choice keeper at third tier MSV Duisburg in 2016/17 – where he made a historical contribution: On 7 August 2016, Flekken scored the equaliser at 1-1 with a backheel in added time in the league match at VfL Osnabrück. It was the first goal from open play scored by a keeper in the history of MSV Duisburg. The season ended with MSV gaining promotion to Bundesliga 2 as champions.
After two seasons with more than 30 appearances each, Flekken signed for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg in 2018/19 and he made his Bundesliga debut on the last matchday of the season. After the departure of Alexander Schwolow in 2020/21, he became the SCF number one but then suffered an elbow injury that kept him out of action for almost the rest of the season.
The next two years were significantly better for the talented Dutchman and he came to the attention of the Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal. Flekken made his debut for the Oranje in March 2022 and he has since made another seven appearances in Euro qualifiers, the UEFA Nations League and friendlies. He was also in the squad for Euro 2024.
Flekken then played for Freiburg in the DFB Pokal final in 2021/22 (in a 4-2 defeat on penalties to RB Leipzig) and in 2022/23 he played for SCF in the Europa League. With more than 30 league appearances each season and impressive appearances, Flekken attracted the attention of Premier League club Brentford after five years at Freiburg.
The new Leverkusen player only missed one league game for the London side in 2023/24 and 2024/25. The 31-year-old now joins Bayer 04 with the experience of 80 Bundesliga and 74 Premier League appearances.
Flekken has two World Cup qualifiers for the Netherlands against Finland and Malta before his summer break.
Bayer 04 midfielder Ibrahim Maza was honoured in Paris in the Best Algerian Young Player category at the Fennec d'Or awards for the Algerian Footballer of the Year, organised for the first time by the football journal La Gazette du Fennec. "It's an honour for me," said the 19-year-old, delighted with the award.
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