Nico Schlotterbeck has established himself as one of the premier defenders in European football, becoming a defensive pillar for both Borussia Dortmund and the German national team.
In this article, you will know Nico Schlotterbeck’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Nico Schlotterbeck’ Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nico Cedric Schlotterbeck |
| Date of Birth | December 1, 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Education | VfR Aalen / SC Freiburg Academy |
| Nationality | German |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2019 (Bundesliga debut with SC Freiburg) |
| Net Worth | Approx. €12 Million (Estimated in 2026) |
| Salary | €4.5 Million – €6 Million (Annual Gross) |
| Wife | Sabrina Schlotterbeck |
| Instagram Profile | @nicoschlotterbeck |
| Twitter Profile | @NicoSchlotterb (Inactive/Fan run) |
Early Career
Nico Schlotterbeck was born in Waiblingen, Germany, a town just outside Stuttgart, into a family where football was practically a religion.
His father, Marc, had been a promising amateur player, and his uncle, Niels Schlotterbeck, was a well-known professional who played in the Bundesliga for clubs like Stuttgarter Kickers and Hansa Rostock. Growing up in this environment, Nico and his older brother Keven were constantly around the game.
Nico’s path to professional football was not a straight line. He started his youth career at SG Weinstadt before joining the academy of Stuttgarter Kickers, following in his uncle’s footsteps.
However, his time there wasn’t always smooth; at one point during his youth days, he was actually dropped by a coach, a setback that nearly made him quit the sport entirely. Instead of giving up, he changed his diet, improved his discipline, and moved to VfR Aalen to continue his development.
Eventually, his talent was undeniable, and he joined the SC Freiburg academy in 2017, where his brother Keven was already playing.
This move proved to be the turning point. At Freiburg, he refined his game, winning the DFB-Pokal with the U19 team and rapidly progressing through the ranks to the senior squad.
Professional Career
Nico Schlotterbeck made his Bundesliga debut for SC Freiburg in March 2019, coming on as a substitute against Hertha BSC. While he showed flashes of potential, he wasn’t immediately a regular starter. To gain consistent playing time, he went on loan to Union Berlin for the 2020-2021 season.
This loan spell was crucial; playing in Union’s disciplined defensive system allowed him to mature physically and tactically, and he returned to Freiburg as a completely different player.
The 2021-2022 season was his breakout year. Back at Freiburg, he became one of the best center-backs in the league, helping the club reach the DFB-Pokal final and qualify for the Europa League. His ability to carry the ball out of defense and his dominance in aerial duels caught the eye of Germany’s biggest clubs.
In the summer of 2022, Borussia Dortmund paid approximately €20 million to secure his services.
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Since joining Dortmund, he has been a mainstay in their defense, playing nearly every minute in the Bundesliga and Champions League. He was instrumental in Dortmund’s agonizingly close title race in 2023 and their run to the Champions League final in 2024.
By the start of 2026, he had evolved into a leader at the back, though his future at the club became a major talking point due to stalled contract negotiations.
Wife
Nico Schlotterbeck is married to his longtime partner, Sabrina. The couple has been together for many years, dating back to before his rise to international stardom.
They officially tied the knot in a wedding ceremony in June 2025, which was widely celebrated by his teammates and fans on social media.
While the couple tends to keep their private life out of the tabloids, they have been spotted together at major tournaments.
During the Euro 2024 group stages, Sabrina was photographed in the stands supporting him, and reports from image agencies identified her holding a baby, suggesting the couple has started a family.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s Net Worth Details
As of early 2026, Nico Schlotterbeck has an estimated net worth of roughly €12 million. This wealth has been accumulated primarily through his lucrative contracts with Borussia Dortmund and his sponsorship deals, although he has yet to sign the “mega-contract” that often defines the prime years of a top footballer’s career.
Contract
Nico Schlotterbeck is currently playing under a contract that runs until June 2027. He signed this five-year deal when he joined Borussia Dortmund from SC Freiburg in 2022.
As of January 2026, the situation surrounding his extension is tense; Dortmund has offered him a new deal to keep him until 2030, but he has not yet signed it.
Reports indicate he is waiting to see the club’s sporting development and potentially leverage interest from Premier League clubs to secure better terms.
Salary
Under his current terms, Schlotterbeck earns a reported gross base salary of €4.5 million to €6 million per year. With performance-related bonuses included, his annual income can rise significantly.
However, in the ongoing negotiations for a contract extension, he is reportedly demanding a salary package worth up to €10 million annually, which would make him one of the highest-paid defenders in the Bundesliga.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Estimated Gross Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | SC Freiburg | ~€0.8 Million | Rookie Contract |
| 2020-2021 | Union Berlin (Loan) | ~€1.2 Million | Loan terms |
| 2021-2022 | SC Freiburg | ~€1.5 Million | Improved terms |
| 2022-2023 | Borussia Dortmund | €4.5 Million | Signed new deal |
| 2023-2024 | Borussia Dortmund | €5.0 Million | Including bonuses |
| 2024-2025 | Borussia Dortmund | €5.5 Million | Performance bonuses |
| 2025-2026 | Borussia Dortmund | €6.0 Million | Current season estimate |
Endorsements
Outside of his club salary, Schlotterbeck earns additional income through endorsement deals.
His primary sponsor is Nike, and he wears Nike Tiempo Legend football boots during his matches. While the exact value of this sponsorship is not public, top German national team players typically command six-figure annual sums from boot deals.
Career Stats
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019-2020 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020-2021 | Union Berlin | Bundesliga | 16 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021-2022 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | 32 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 2022-2023 | B. Dortmund | Bundesliga | 28 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 2023-2024 | B. Dortmund | Bundesliga | 33 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 2024-2025 | B. Dortmund | Bundesliga | 30 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 2025-2026 | B. Dortmund | Bundesliga* | 11 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 167 | 15 | 12 | 36 |
FAQs
1. Who is Nico Schlotterbeck’s wife?
Nico Schlotterbeck is married to Sabrina Schlotterbeck. They have been a couple for many years and officially got married in June 2025.
2. How much does Nico Schlotterbeck earn at Dortmund?
Nico Schlotterbeck earns a reported base salary of approximately €4.5 million to €6 million per year. He is currently in negotiations for a raise that could see his salary increase to around €10 million annually.
3. Is Nico Schlotterbeck related to Keven Schlotterbeck?
Yes, Nico Schlotterbeck is the younger brother of Keven Schlotterbeck. Keven is also a professional footballer who has played in the Bundesliga for clubs like SC Freiburg, Bochum, and Augsburg.
4. When does Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract expire?
Nico Schlotterbeck’s current contract with Borussia Dortmund expires in June 2027. The club is actively trying to extend his deal until 2030, but negotiations have been ongoing as of early 2026.
5. What position does Nico Schlotterbeck play?
Nico Schlotterbeck plays as a central defender (center-back). He is known for his left-footed ball distribution, strong tackling, and aerial ability on both defensive and offensive set pieces.
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