Malik Tillman is a German-born American midfielder who plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the United States men’s national team. Born on May 28, 2002, he is 24 years old and stands about 6 feet 2 inches (187 cm) tall. He wears the No. 10 shirt for Leverkusen and is most comfortable as an attacking midfielder, although he can also operate deeper as a No. 8.
Tillman’s profile has grown considerably since leaving Bayern Munich’s system. Successful spells with Rangers and PSV Eindhoven led to his move to Leverkusen in 2025, while two goals during the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup strengthened his reputation with the USMNT.
Quick Bio: Malik Tillman
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malik Leon Tillman |
| Date of Birth | May 28, 2002 |
| Age | 24 |
| Birthplace | Nuremberg, Germany |
| Nationality | American and German |
| Height | 187 cm / about 6’2″ |
| Position | Attacking midfielder |
| Current Club | Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
| Club Shirt Number | 10 |
| National Team | United States |
| Parents | Sheldon Tillman and Anja Tillman |
| Brother | Timothy Tillman |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
Where Is Malik Tillman From?
Tillman was born in Nuremberg, Germany, and grew up in Germany. His father, Sheldon Tillman, is American, while his mother, Anja Tillman, is German. U.S. Soccer lists him as a dual citizen of the United States and Germany.
That background explains one of the most common questions about him: why does Malik Tillman play for the USA if he was born in Germany?
Tillman represented Germany at youth international level but later chose the United States for senior international football. He filed a one-time switch to represent the USMNT in May 2022 and subsequently made his senior U.S. debut that year.
He is therefore both German-born and American, but his senior international career belongs to the United States.
His Parents and Football Family
Football is also part of Tillman’s family story.
His older brother, Timothy “Timmy” Tillman, is a professional midfielder who also represents the United States. Timothy was born in 1999 and currently plays for LAFC.
The brothers developed in Germany and spent time in the Bayern Munich system. Malik has spoken publicly about growing up with his brother, giving their shared football background more context than simply describing Timothy as another professional player.
Beyond the information publicly shared by U.S. Soccer and the players themselves, private details about the Tillman family should be treated with care.
From Bayern Munich to Leverkusen
Tillman’s development began in German youth football. He played for Greuther Fürth before joining Bayern Munich’s academy, where he progressed far enough to make first-team appearances.
His next move proved important. Tillman joined Rangers on loan for the 2022–23 season, scoring 12 goals in 43 appearances and earning the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award.
He then moved to PSV Eindhoven, initially on loan before the Dutch club signed him permanently. His two seasons in the Netherlands brought consecutive Eredivisie titles and helped establish him as a productive attacking midfielder rather than simply a former Bayern prospect.
Bayer Leverkusen signed Tillman from PSV in July 2025. The move brought him back to the Bundesliga and gave him another opportunity to establish himself at the top level in Germany.
What Position Does Malik Tillman Play?
Tillman is primarily an attacking midfielder, but describing him only as a traditional No. 10 understates his flexibility.
When Leverkusen announced his signing, the club highlighted his ability to play both as a No. 10 and a No. 8. That allows him to operate behind the forwards or from a slightly deeper midfield position.
Leverkusen gave him the No. 10 shirt ahead of the 2025–26 season. The number previously belonged to Florian Wirtz, making it a significant shirt within the squad rather than a random selection.
His Growing USMNT Role
Tillman’s international career has become one of the most important parts of his profile.
He enjoyed a major breakthrough at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting every U.S. match as the team reached the final. U.S. Soccer credits him with three goals and two assists during the tournament, and he was selected for the competition’s Best XI.
His visibility increased further during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tillman scored his first World Cup goal with a direct free kick in the United States’ 2–0 knockout victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He followed it with another free-kick goal against Belgium in the Round of 16, although the U.S. lost 4–1 and exited the tournament.
Those moments helped move him from promising USMNT midfielder to a player with recognizable World Cup highlights.
Malik Tillman’s Contract and Salary
Tillman’s contract situation is much clearer than his salary.
Bayer Leverkusen officially confirmed that he signed a deal running until June 30, 2030 when he arrived from PSV in July 2025.
His exact salary is different. Football wage websites publish estimates, but Leverkusen has not publicly confirmed a definitive weekly or annual salary in the official material reviewed. Figures found on third-party salary databases should therefore be described as estimates, not verified earnings.
Bonuses and sponsorship income can also make a footballer’s total income different from a reported base wage.
What Is Malik Tillman’s Net Worth?
An exact Malik Tillman net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Online celebrity-finance websites publish estimates, but they do not provide the same level of evidence as an official contract or financial disclosure. His career at Bayern, Rangers, PSV and Leverkusen clearly provides professional football income, but converting that into an exact personal net-worth figure would create false precision.
Public estimates should be treated as approximations rather than verified financial facts.
Does Malik Tillman Have a Girlfriend?
Malik Tillman’s current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed in reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
There is no need to turn social-media photos, fan speculation or unsourced biography claims into a girlfriend or partner story. Until Tillman publicly discusses a relationship or a credible publication documents one, his private life is best described as private.
Conclusion
At 24, Tillman is already beyond the prospect stage but still has room to develop. His route through Bayern, Rangers and PSV, combined with a long-term Leverkusen contract and an increasingly important USMNT role, makes him one of the more interesting German-American players entering the next phase of his career.
FAQs
How old is Malik Tillman?
Malik Tillman is 24 years old. He was born on May 28, 2002, in Nuremberg, Germany.
How tall is Malik Tillman?
The Bundesliga lists Tillman at 187 cm, while U.S. Soccer gives his height as 6 feet 2 inches.
What club does Malik Tillman play for?
Tillman plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany’s Bundesliga. He joined the club from PSV Eindhoven in July 2025.
What number does Malik Tillman wear?
He wears the No. 10 shirt for Bayer Leverkusen. His USMNT squad number can vary by competition; U.S. Soccer’s current player profile lists him as No. 17 for the national team.
Is Timothy Tillman Malik Tillman’s brother?
Yes. Timothy Tillman is Malik’s older brother. He is also a professional midfielder and has represented the United States internationally.
Why does Malik Tillman play for the USA?
Tillman was eligible for the United States through his American father. After representing Germany at youth level, he completed a one-time switch to the USMNT in 2022.
When does Malik Tillman’s Leverkusen contract expire?
His Bayer Leverkusen contract runs until June 30, 2030. The club officially announced the agreement when it signed him from PSV.
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