Stefan Lainer

Stefan Lainer is an Austrian defender born in Salzburg on 27 August 1992. After starting at SV Seekirchen, he joined the Red Bull Salzburg academy in 2006 and continued his development with Red Bull Juniors, SV Grödig and FC Liefering. He moved to SV Ried for the 2014–15 season before returning to Salzburg in 2015. At Salzburg, Lainer established himself as a right-back, helping the club win domestic honours and reach the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League semi-finals. His performances earned a 2019 transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he became a regular and experienced Champions League football. Lainer has also represented Austria at international level, adding a national-team dimension to his club career. After being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023, he returned to competitive action for Mönchengladbach against Augsburg on 21 January 2024. In 2025, Stefan Lainer returned to Red Bull Salzburg, bringing Bundesliga experience and versatility on the right flank.