by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- German striker Tim Kleindienst seems to relish the moments when people ask him to translate his last name.

"Oh, it means small and service-small service," he says with a mischievous smile.

The striker's joy might stem from owning one of the few German surnames that translates neatly into English. But there's nothing small about his contributions to the German national team or his club, Borussia Monchengladbach.

With four goals in six international appearances and a key link in attack, Kleindienst has stepped into the limelight. His domestic record is equally impressive, with 15 league goals and six assists in 25 games.

The 29-year-old's rise has drawn comparisons to West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug, another late bloomer who has become a staple of Germany's traditional center-forward role. Like Füllkrug, Kleindienst took a winding path through smaller clubs before earning a national team call-up.

When Julian Nagelsmann took over as Germany's head coach in September 2023, he opened the door for fresh faces. Kleindienst was among those who benefited.

"The advantages are obvious," Nagelsmann said. "He's scoring for his club, he works hard, his heading ability is excellent, and he can hold up the ball."

Unlike many football stars, Kleindienst's career has been built far from the game's glittering heights. He played for Cottbus, Freiburg, Gent, and Heidenheim before landing in Monchengladbach.

German national team sporting director Rudi Voller praised his goal-scoring record but emphasized "his vast impact when it comes to heading and ball retention."

Kleindienst's unconventional image only adds to his appeal. Before a UEFA Nations League match against Italy, he was spotted outside the German locker room listening to obscure punk rock and gritty rap. Then, on the pitch, he delivered-scoring with a header to cap a 3-0 first-half lead in the second leg, having already found the net in the first leg in Milan.

With bigger clubs reportedly monitoring him, Nagelsmann offered a word of advice: "Stay and enjoy the minutes you're getting in Monchengladbach. Don't forget, you just moved there last summer."

When Füllkrug returns from injury, Nagelsmann will have the luxury of choice. Fullkrug's 14 goals in 22 international appearances speak for themselves.

"I fight for my chances, but I don't make demands," Kleindienst said. "I just enjoy every minute on and off the pitch."

And, as it turns out, he enjoys translating his name just as much as scoring goals. Enditem

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