Stefan Ilsanker (born 18 May 1989) is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
A product of the Red Bull Salzburg academy, Ilsanker's professional career spanned 15 years, where he also played for SV Mattersburg, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Genoa. During his active career, he also represented Austria at the Under-19 European Championship and was also a member of the under-21 team. He was a full senior international between 2014 and 2022.
Club career Ilsanker began his career in the youth squad of 1. Halleiner SK as goalkeeper but soon switched into the midfield. In 2005, he signed with Red Bull Salzburg, where he played in the Red Bull Juniors team.
On 4 April 2009, Ilsanker was called up to the first team bench for a league game. His first game for Red Bull Salzburg was a national cup match on 15 August 2009. On 25 August 2009, he played his first international game for Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League qualifier versus Maccabi Haifa.
At the end of the 2009–10 season Ilsanker signed with SV Mattersburg. In 2012, he came back to Red Bull Salzburg. In the meantime, he was a regular of the starting team of the club. On 26 February, the club announced, that his contract was extended till 2018.
Stefan Ilsanker was sent-off on 19 December 2018 against Bayern Munich.
On 31 January 2020, Ilsanker joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a deal lasting until 2022. On 3 June 2020, Ilsanker came off the bench against Werder Bremen and scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the match to secure a 3–0 victory.
On 23 June 2022, Ilsanker joined Italian club Genoa.
He announced his retirement from football on 6 January 2024, after being without a club for six months following his release from Genoa.
International career
Ilsanker has won over 40 caps for Austria since his debut in 2014. Ilsanker represented his country at Euro 2016, where Austria finished last in Group F. Ilsanker played in two matches for Austria at the tournament, their 0–0 draw with eventual champions Portugal and 2–1 loss to Iceland.
Personal life Stefan Ilsanker is the son of Herbert Ilsanker, the goalkeeper coach of Red Bull Salzburg.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRed Bull Salzburg (A)2006–07Austrian First League0030—302007–08262——2622008–0923010—2402009–10272——272Total76440—804Red Bull Salzburg2009–10Austrian Bundesliga00201030Mattersburg2010–11Austrian Bundesliga26040—3002011–1224020—260Total50060—560Red Bull Salzburg2012–13Austrian Bundesliga26040103102013–14324611305112014–153105090450Total8941512301274RB Leipzig2015–162. Bundesliga26120—2812016–17Bundesliga33010—3402017–1821010602802018–19190401103402019–2060100070Total1051901701311Eintracht Frankfurt2019–20Bundesliga12220401822020–2127120—2912021–221200020140Total5134060613Genoa2022–23Serie B16000—160Career total3871240147047313
Honours Red Bull Salzburg Austrian Bundesliga: 2013–14, 2014–15 Austrian Cup: 2013–14
Eintracht Frankfurt UEFA Europa League: 2021–22
References
External links
Stefan Ilsanker – 2008 Interview (in German)