Stefan Markolf (born 3 January 1984) is the first deaf German professional footballer.

Stefan Markolf
Stefan Markolf preparing for the regional league with KSV Baunatal
Personal information
Full name Stefan Markolf
Date of birth (1984-01-03) 3 January 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Witzenhausen, West Germany
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
KSV Baunatal
Youth career
1989–2000 VfB Witzenhausen
2000–2001 KSV Hessen Kassel
2001–2002 KSV Baunatal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 KSV Baunatal
2004–2007 1. FSV Mainz 05 II 75 (7)
2007–2008 1. FSV Mainz 05 8 (0)
2008–2009 Wuppertaler SV 6 (0)
2009–2010 KSV Hessen Kassel 17 (0)
2010– KSV Baunatal 38 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 July 2012

Career

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After joining the professional squad of 1. FSV Mainz 05 in 2007, where the defender was mostly substituted, he was signed by third division club Wuppertaler SV in 2008.[1] After eight years he returned to KSV Hessen Kassel.

Personal

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Markolf was born deaf (about 90 percent hearing loss). Thanks to speech therapy, he has nearly perfect pronunciation of the spoken language. In spite of his hearing loss, he has a good overview in the football matches. He wears special hearing aids while playing.

References

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  1. ^ "Markolf, Stefan" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
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