{{Short description|German footballer (born 1983)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Moritz Volz | image = Moritz Volz.jpg | upright = | caption = Volz at Fulham in 2007 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1983|1|21}} | birth_place = Siegen, West Germany | height = 1.78 m | position = Right-back | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = SpVgg Bürbach | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–1999 | youthclubs2 = Schalke 04 | youthyears3 = 1999–2000 | youthclubs3 = Arsenal | years1 = 2000–2004 | clubs1 = Arsenal | years2 = 2003 | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | clubs2 = → Wimbledon (loan) | caps2 = 10 | goals2 = 1 | years3 = 2004–2009 | clubs3 = Fulham | caps3 = 125 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2008–2009 | clubs4 = → Ipswich Town (loan) | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2010–2012 | clubs5 = FC St. Pauli | caps5 = 23 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2012–2015 | clubs6 = 1860 Munich | caps6 = 45 | goals6 = 0 | totalcaps = 225 | totalgoals = 5 | nationalyears1 = 2003–2006 | nationalteam1 = Germany U21 | nationalcaps1 = 20 | nationalgoals1 = 0 }} '''Moritz Volz''' (born 21 January 1983) is a German former professional footballer, media pundit and scout. He played as a right-back with Schalke 04, Arsenal, Wimbledon, Fulham, Ipswich Town, FC St. Pauli and 1860 Munich.<ref name=FAYC />
==Club career==
===Early career=== Volz was born in Siegen and started his career in his native Germany at Schalke 04, before being spotted by Arsenal while playing for the German youth team. He was offered a contract and joined the Gunners in the summer of 1999. Volz's debut for the Gunners came in a League Cup defeat to Ipswich Town in 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1000608.stm | title=Arsenal 1–2 Ipswich| publisher=BBC | date=1 November 2000 |access-date=1 January 2011}}</ref> With the club's academy, Volz also won the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001.<ref name=FAYC /><ref name=FAYC1 /> He made another appearance for Arsenal's first team a year later in a League Cup defeat to Sunderland.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/703/moritz-volz | title=Moritz Volz | publisher=Arsenal F.C. | accessdate=7 December 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212002125/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/703/moritz-volz | archivedate=12 December 2013}}</ref> In February 2003, he was loaned out to Wimbledon, where he impressed by scoring on his debut against Brighton<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2707407.stm | title=Brighton 2–3 Wimbledon | publisher=BBC | date=11 February 2003 | access-date=26 August 2009}}</ref> and going on to make nine further appearances for the Dons. He returned from loan in the summer of the same year before joining Fulham, again on loan, in August 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volz signs|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2003/august/08/volz-signs|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=8 August 2003|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The move was made permanent in January 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volz signs for Fulham|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2004/january/16/volz-signs-for-fulham|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=16 January 2004|accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref>
===Fulham=== At Fulham, Volz attained cult-figure status with the fans, in part due to his commitment, passion and community involvement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2007/May/ReadingStars.aspx |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120629221201/http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2007/May/ReadingStars.aspx |archivedate=29 June 2012 |title=Reading Stars |publisher=Fulham FC |date=28 May 2007 |accessdate=7 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also popular with the club's faithful given that he rode his bicycle to home games. He had several nicknames at Craven Cottage, such as '220 Volz', 'The Electrician', 'Mr Resistor', 'The Hoff' due to his adulation of David Hasselhoff, 'The Lightbulb' and the rather simple 'Volzy'. For the match against Aston Villa on Saturday 21 October 2006, he had 'The Hoff' written on his boots for good luck and promptly scored his first goal in three years.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.footballersareidiots.co.uk/2006/10/25/the-hoff-inspires-volz-to-score/ | title=The Hoff Inspires Volz to Score | accessdate=25 October 2006 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061221121510/http://www.footballersareidiots.co.uk/2006/10/25/the-hoff-inspires-volz-to-score/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 21 December 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/moritz-volz-my-secret-vice|title=Moritz Volz: My Secret Vice|website=Four Four Two.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/moritz-volz-a-german-blessed-with-balance-and-bonhomie-436817.html|title=Moritz Volz: A German blessed with balance and bonhomie|website=Independent.co.uk}}</ref>
Volz signed a contract extension on 9 December 2006, which kept him at the club until 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volz signs contract extension|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2006/december/09/volz-signs-contract-extension|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=9 December 2006|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> On 30 December 2006, he went on to score the 15,000th goal in Premier League history for Fulham against Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6219175.stm | title = Premiership clockwatch | publisher = BBC | date = 30 December 2006 | access-date = 30 July 2011}}</ref> Inevitably, this feat gave birth to the new nickname '15,000 Volz'. As he scored that goal, Volz donated £15,000 to three charitable organisations: Kick 4 Life, The Prince's Trust, and Fulham Football Club's Community charity.<ref>{{cite news|title=15,000 Volz|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2007/march/23/15-000-volz|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=23 March 2007|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Volz Donation|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2007/april/20/volz-donation|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=20 April 2007|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> In July 2008, Volz was awarded PPF Community Champion Award, which is associated with ''The Observer'' newspaper.<ref>{{cite news|date=31 July 2008|title=Community Champion|work=fulhamfc.com|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2008/july/31/community-champion|url-status=dead|accessdate=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417224322/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2008/july/31/community-champion|archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>
On 28 August 2008, he signed for Championship side Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal. Volz joined the club as he hoped to help the Tractor Boys get promoted to the Premier League.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/latest-news/volz_signs_for_town_1_166422 | title = Volz signs for Town | author = Derek Davis | publisher = Green 'Un | accessdate = 7 December 2013 | date = 28 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131211074053/http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/latest-news/volz_signs_for_town_1_166422 | archivedate = 11 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/13657/volz-im-now-a-true-tractor-boy|title=Volz: I'm Now a True Tractor Boy|website=TWTD.co.uk}}</ref> Altogether, he was capped a total of 22 times for the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/ipswich-town-fc/moritz-volz-9127/2008-09_a18793/|title=Moritz Volz|website=Sporting-Heroes.net}}</ref>
On 1 July 2009, he was released from Fulham as he came to the end of his contract and was so praised by the club for his loyal service. Volz sent a farewell message to Fulham supporters upon the club's website.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volzy's Farewell|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2009/july/24/volzy-s-farewell|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=24 July 2009|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> While on the lookout for a new team, he kept training with the club to maintain his fitness and also did media work for Sky Sports at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.<ref name=Sky>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/5431898/free-agent-moritz-volz|title=Free Agent-Moritz Volz|publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>
On 2 January 2010, Volz got a trial with former club Schalke 04.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bundesliga.de/de/liga/news/2009/schalke-testet-volz-und-verpflichtet-edu_0000143874.php | title = Schalke testet Volz und verpflichtet Edu | publisher = Bundesliga | language = German | date = 7 December 2013 | accessdate = 30 July 2011}}</ref> He joined the team at Chiclana de la Frontera for a training camp.
He then trained with Queens Park Rangers,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-01-28 |title=QPR eye ex-Fulham defender Volz |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8484958.stm |access-date=2025-09-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and in March 2010, was offered a short-term deal until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-03-25 |title=Volz offered short-term QPR deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8587963.stm |access-date=2025-09-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Volz did not accept this contract offer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warburton |first=Paul |date=2010-04-14 |title=Moritz Volz missed his chance, says QPR boss |url=https://www.mylondon.news/sport/football/football-news/moritz-volz-missed-chance-says-5998355 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824083957/https://www.mylondon.news/sport/football/football-news/moritz-volz-missed-chance-says-5998355 |archive-date=2019-08-24 |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=getwestlondon}}</ref>
===FC St. Pauli=== Volz eventually joined up with FC St. Pauli on 15 June 2010, signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga/newspage_249639.html|title=Volz zu St. Pauli|publisher=sport1.de|date=15 June 2010|language=German|accessdate=30 July 2011|archive-date=17 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617114031/http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga/newspage_249639.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his debut on 5 November 2010 against Schalke 04.
===1860 Munich=== thumb|150px|Volz whilst training with 1860 Munich
Volz joined 1860 Munich on 5 June 2012, signing a three-year contract.<ref name="TSV">{{cite web|url=http://www.tsv1860.de/aktuell/news/loewen-verpflichten-moritz-volz|title=Löwen verpflichten Moritz Volz|publisher=TSV 1860 München|date=5 June 2012|accessdate=7 December 2013|language=German|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214031505/http://www.tsv1860.de/aktuell/news/loewen-verpflichten-moritz-volz|archivedate=14 December 2013}}</ref> At 1860 Munich he won the 2014–15 2. Bundesliga relegation playoffs, with the club thus staying within the league.<ref name=Eurosport>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/moritz-volz_prs18633/person.shtml|title=Moritz Volz|website=Eurosport.com}}</ref>
==International career== Although Volz was not part of the German team that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil in 2006, he was an ever-present force in Dieter Eilts' successful under-21 side. He helped the team qualify for the European Championships in summer 2006. Volz was included in the senior squad for the 17 November 2004 game in Leipzig against Cameroon but did not appear on the field.
==Scouting and media work== Volz wrote for ''The Times'' and worked as a pundit for Sky Sports, Setanta Sports and ITV while playing in the UK. He later worked as a colour commentator for DAZN in Germany.<ref name=Sky /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/questions-for-capello-is-walcott-the-new-beckham-and-can-wayne-rooney-rediscover-how-to-score-goals/|title=Questions for Capello|website=101 Great Goals.com}}</ref><ref name=FAYC1 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/dazn_de/status/824353555943477263|title=DAZN DE|language=German|website=Twitter.com}}</ref>
After his retirement in the summer of 2015 Volz worked in 1860 Munich's youth department.<ref>{{cite news |title=Volz will Trainer werden |trans-title=Volz wants to become a coach |url=https://www.pressreader.com/germany/hamburger-morgenpost/20161011/282162175727077?srsltid=AfmBOoqh-Vos5BF5sQ1_FcQDAR5APmt09N5GqwCvxbKVwEHSzAbOFaUC |access-date=7 February 2025 |work=Hamburger Morgenpost |date=11 October 2016 |language=German}}</ref> He was later a scout for Arsenal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laola1.at/de/red/fussball/oefb-nationalteam/a-team/news/der-fc-arsenal-scoutet-erneut-beim-oefb-team/|title=Arsenal führt Scout-Liste gegen Finnland an|language=German|website=Laola1.de}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/PlayerProfiles/ProfileDetails/MoritzVolz.aspx?career=true |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123064610/http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/PlayerProfiles/ProfileDetails/MoritzVolz.aspx?career=true |archivedate=23 November 2008 |title=Moritz Volz |publisher= Fulham FC|accessdate=7 December 2013}}</ref> |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, DFB-Pokal}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Football League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Arsenal |2001–02 |Premier League |0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0 |- |2002–03 |Premier League |0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!2||0 |- |Wimbledon (loan) |2002–03 |First Division |10||1||0||0||0||0||10||1 |- |rowspan="6"|Fulham |2003–04 |Premier League |33||0||5||0||0||0||38||0 |- |2004–05 |Premier League |31||0||2||1||3|||0||36||1 |- |2005–06 |Premier League |23||0||0||0||1||0||24||0 |- |2006–07 |Premier League |29||2||4||1||1||0||34||3 |- |2007–08 |Premier League |9||0||2||0||1||0||12||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !125!!2!!13!!2!!6!!0!!144!!4 |- |Ipswich Town (loan) |2008–09 |Championship |22||0||0||0||1||0||23||0 |- |rowspan="3"|FC St. Pauli |2010–11 |Bundesliga |9||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0 |- |2011–12 |2. Bundesliga |14||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||14||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !23!!2!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!23!!2 |- |rowspan="4"|1860 Munich |2012–13 |2. Bundesliga |26||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||29||0 |- |2013–14 |2. Bundesliga |17||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||19||0 |- |2014–15 |2. Bundesliga |2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !45!!0!!6!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!51!!0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !225!!5!!19!!2!!9!!0!!253!!7 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Arsenal'''<ref name=FAYC>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/23/newsstory.sport4|title=Young Gunners keep their Cup|website=The Guardian.com}}</ref><ref name=FAYC1>{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151204/class-of-2000|title=CLASS OF 2000|website=Arsenal.com}}</ref> *FA Youth Cup: 1999–2000, 2000–01
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Official website|http://www.volzy.com}} * {{Soccerbase}} * [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/aug/18/sport.comment Interview] in ''The Guardian''
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Volz, Moritz}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Siegen Category:German men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:FC Schalke 04 players Category:Arsenal F.C. players Category:Wimbledon F.C. players Category:Fulham F.C. players Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players Category:FC St. Pauli players Category:TSV 1860 Munich players Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Bundesliga players Category:2. Bundesliga players Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers Category:Germany men's youth international footballers Category:Association football scouts Category:German expatriate men's footballers Category:German expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Galatasaray S.K. (football) non-playing staff Category:21st-century German sportsmen