Patrick Mainka

Patrick Mainka is a German centre-back for 1. FC Heidenheim, born in Gütersloh and standing 1.94 metres tall. He developed with Victoria Clarholz and FSC Rheda before joining Arminia Bielefeld’s academy in 2009, where he later made one senior appearance. In 2014, Mainka moved to Werder Bremen II and helped the reserve side secure promotion to the 3. Liga. He joined Borussia Dortmund II in January 2016, becoming a defensive regular and eventually captaining the Regionalliga West team. Mainka signed for Heidenheim in 2018 and established himself in the club’s defensive unit before being named captain in 2021. Since Heidenheim reached the Bundesliga in 2023, he has played every minute of the club’s first two top-flight seasons, while his height also makes him a prominent aerial defender and set-piece threat.