Who is the fastest player in Bundesliga history?
On matchday 19 of the 2022/23 Bundesliga season, Borussia Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi set a new record in the league. As Die Schwarzgelben demolished Freiburg 5-1 at Signal Iduna Park, the 21-year-old Germany international became the fastest player in the league, at least since extended records began in 2011, after clocking a speed of 22.77 mph. The youngster has explosive speed, as he showed in his team’s comprehensive victory. The official speed is still a long way off the world record set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt (27.33 mph), but there is no doubt that Adeyemi is one of the fastest athletes in the world. There are also plenty of other speedy players in the German top flight, so Kingsoccertips decided to take you through the 10 fastest player in Bundesliga history.
Top 10 Fastest Bundesliga players of all time
10. Nathan Ngoumou, 22.47 mph
Ngoumou hasn’t really made much of an impact since moving from Toulouse to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2022. However, he has already made his mark in the club’s history with a memorable achievement. In a 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in October 2022, the 22-year-old Frenchman clocked a speed of 22.47 mph (about 36.17 km/h), becoming the fastest player ever recorded in the club’s history. It’s a proud milestone for a young talent looking to make his mark.
However, speed is only part of the equation for a professional footballer. To truly make an impact, Ngoumou needs to use this strength to make more tangible contributions, such as accurate assists or important goals. With his potential and outstanding physical ability, he is expected to improve his performance in the coming time, in return for the trust of the club and fans. Whether Ngoumou’s superior speed can be translated into more significant achievements in the future remains to be seen.
9. Erling Haaland, 22.56 mph
Erling Haaland seems to have no limits to his abilities. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, the Norwegian international has not only struck fear into defences but has also proven himself to be a prolific goalscorer, scoring 86 goals in just 89 games. As well as being a lethal presence in the box, he has also shown that he possesses incredible speed, constantly evading defenders.
Haaland’s fastest speed record was set in a 1-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld, just before his move to Manchester City. He clocked a speed of 22.56 mph (36.3 km/h) in that match, a testament to his physical strength and explosiveness on the pitch. Despite moving to the Premier League – one of the most competitive footballing environments in the world – Haaland has continued to maintain his impressive form. Here, he reached a top speed of 22.51 mph, almost the same as his record in Germany. With the perfect combination of speed, power and technique, Haaland is making fans curious: is there anything he can’t do?
8. Kevin Schade, 22.60 mph
Kevin Schade only made 36 appearances for Freiburg before moving to Brentford on loan, but that was enough to make his mark. With his speed and excellent acceleration, Schade has risen to 8th place in the list of fastest players in Bundesliga history. This is an impressive achievement for a young talent, confirming his great potential for future development.
Schade’s most memorable highlight was in Freiburg’s 3-1 win over Greuther Fürth, where he reached a record speed of 22.60 mph (about 36.37 km/h). This outstanding speed makes him an unstoppable player on the pitch. Now, joining Brentford and competing in the Premier League, fans expect him to continue to develop his strengths. It will be interesting to see whether Schade can match or even surpass this impressive record in a more competitive football environment.
7. Sheraldo Becker, 22.61 mph
Suriname international Sheraldo Becker was one of Union Berlin’s standout performers in the 2022/23 season. He played a key role in Die Eisernen’s run to a Champions League spot, thanks to his explosive pace and sharp attacking ability. However, Becker’s incredible speed record didn’t come that season, but was set during the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign.
In a 1-1 draw between Union Berlin and Stuttgart, Becker reached a top speed of 22.61 mph (around 36.4 km/h), making him one of the fastest players in the league. That game also saw other familiar names shine, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring for Union Berlin and Sasa Kalajdzic equalising for Stuttgart – both of whom have since moved to the Premier League. Becker’s record not only demonstrates his outstanding physical ability but also confirms that he is a major threat on the pitch. With his talent and impressive form, he continues to be an important pillar in the Union Berlin squad.
6. Leon Bailey, 22.62 mph
Aston Villa fans have been waiting to see the full potential of Leon Bailey since he joined from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2021. During his time with the English club, Bailey has had some standout moments, including showcasing his incredible pace, which has made him one of the fastest players to ever play in the Bundesliga.
Bailey’s native Jamaica is renowned for producing some of the world’s best sprinters, and the Reggae Boyz international is no exception. During the 2019/20 season, while playing for Bayer Leverkusen, Bailey clocked a speed of 22.62 mph (about 36.4 km/h) in a 2-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin, making him one of the fastest players in Bundesliga history. This is not only a testament to his outstanding physical ability but also shows the great potential that Bailey brings to Aston Villa, and fans will hope that he continues to develop his speed and talent to create explosive moments for the Premier League team.
Many fans rely on bet football tips to make informed decisions and increase their chances of winning
5. Achraf Hakimi, 22.67 mph
Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has shown off his blistering pace for big clubs including Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and on the international stage with Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. However, he first really made an impression on many during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
Former Real Madrid player Hakimi set an incredible speed record during the 2019/20 Bundesliga season. In Dortmund’s 5-0 win over Union Berlin, he clocked a speed of 22.67 mph (around 36.5 km/h), beating his previous record, making him one of the fastest players in the league. He had previously set a new record of 22.49 mph against RB Leipzig. Such performances demonstrated Hakimi’s outstanding acceleration and physicality, and he has since become one of the fastest defenders in the world, excelling at both club and international level.
4. Alphonso Davies, 22.69 mph
It’s no secret that Canadian international and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is known for his blistering pace. Chelsea fans will no doubt remember the impressive moment Davies left the Blues’ defenders in the dust during Bayern’s 3-0 Champions League win at Stamford Bridge in 2020, a sprint that left no one in sight.
Davies clocked a record-breaking 22.69 mph (36.5 km/h) in a match against Werder Bremen during the 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign, when Bayern Munich won the title. For most players in Germany, that’s an impressive feat, enough to make it difficult for any defender to stop him. Davies’ pace not only helps him create dangerous counter-attacks but also cements his reputation as one of the fastest defenders in the world.
3. Moussa Diaby, 22.69 mph
Moussa Diaby is currently a hot transfer target for Newcastle United in the January transfer window. Considering his goalscoring ability, dribbling skills and impressive pace, it’s no wonder he’s attracting the attention of big clubs. Diaby is not only a sharp striker, but also one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga.
Diaby reached a top speed of 22.69 mph (about 36.5 km/h) in Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg in the 2022/23 campaign, making him the second fastest player of the season. This speed, combined with his attacking ability and technical ability, makes Diaby a huge threat to defenses. While he has proven himself in the Bundesliga, the question is whether he can maintain or even improve his pace when moving to the Premier League, a league renowned for its pace and fierce competition.
2. Jeremiah St. Juste, 22.76 mph
Jeremiah St. Juste, a defender who currently plays for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, is the only defender to make the list of the fastest players in the Bundesliga. Before moving to Lisbon, St. Juste made a strong impression during his time with Mainz 05, especially during the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign.
St. Juste’s speed record was set during Mainz 05’s 2-1 Bundesliga defeat to Union Berlin. During the match, he reached a top speed of 22.76 mph (about 36.6 km/h), an impressive feat that made him one of the fastest players in the league. Although Mainz 05 did not win the match, St. Juste’s performances helped the team qualify for the Champions League, with his speed and solid defending being key contributions. This achievement cemented St. Juste’s reputation as an excellent and agile defender, contributing to Mainz’s success that season.
1. Karim Adeyemi, 22.77 mph
Karim Adeyemi, Borussia Dortmund’s talented youngster, has come through his first few months in the Bundesliga to make his mark. While his first steps at Dortmund were not easy, Adeyemi has now proven his ability and potential, especially with his impressive speed record.
In a 4-0 win over Freiburg, Adeyemi not only set a new speed record but also scored his first home goal for Dortmund, a goal which he celebrated enthusiastically in front of the Yellow Wall of fans. The speed he achieved in that match made him one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga, and proved that he had truly found his feet at the club. Now, fans are waiting to see if Adeyemi can hit even faster speeds now that he has fully settled in at Dortmund and continues to fulfil his potential.
Final thoughts
With a speed record of 22.77 mph, Karim Adeyemi has officially become the fastest player in Bundesliga, an impressive achievement that makes him stand out among the young talents in the league. While speed is not the only factor that determines success in football, Adeyemi’s ability to accelerate has created important opportunities and goals for Dortmund. Setting this record not only affirms his outstanding potential but also opens up great opportunities for him to continue developing his career and maintain his position as one of the fastest players in the world.