he started his career in his local football club fc schüttdorf 09. soon he went to the netherlands where he played for twente enschede, az alkmaar, and fc utrecht. 2003- 2006 he played for schalke 04 in the german bundesliga. since 2009 he plays for f. c. red bull salzburg in the austrian bundesliga. he also played for the german u20-team.