Andreas Hinkel, born on 26 March 1982 in Germany, was a stalwart defender who primarily filled the role of a right back. At 1.83m (6ft) tall and weighing scales at 76kg (11st 13lb), he had a notable physical presence on the pitch.
Hinkel's career started at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, joining their ranks as a trainee in July 1992. Establishing himself in the first team from the 2000 - 2001 season onwards, Hinkel proved his mettle by making over twenty appearances in each season for Stuttgart, with a peak of 32 appearances in the 2002 - 2003 season. A notable highlight of his tenure at Stuttgart occurred during the 2004 - 2005 season, where he scored his first goal in the league.
Looking to expand his horizons, Hinkel transferred from Stuttgart to Sevilla in the La Liga in June 2006 for a sum close to £2.8m. While his two-season stint at Sevilla was typified by a less frequency of first team appearances, the experience no doubt broadened his footballing insights.
January 2008 marked a significant shift in Hinkel's career, as he transferred from Sevilla to Celtic in Scotland for a fee of around £1.9m. Quickly becoming an integral part of the Celtic defence, Hinkel made 16 first team appearances in the remaining season. This was the prelude to further impressive performance in subsequent seasons, making over 30 appearances each season, showcasing his lasting reliability and endurance.
In October 2011, the call of his home country proved irresistible, and Hinkel transferred from Celtic to Freiburg in the Bundesliga in Germany. While his final season at Freiburg was curtailed by injuries resulting in a total of only seven first team appearances, it wrapped up a commendable career for our tireless defender.
May 2012 saw the end of Hinkel's active club playing career, leaving Freiburg. He left a benchmark for future right backs with his commitment and consistency on the field, earning the respect and admiration of his teammates, opponents, and fans alike.
