Thorsten Legat

Born in Bochum, Legat started playing professionally at hometown's VfL Bochum, making his Bundesliga debut on 6 September 1987 (not yet 19) in a 1–1 home draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. He became an essential first-team member in the following seasons. After a spectacular 1990–91 campaign (31 matches, seven goals, being crucial in helping Bochum retain its top division status), Legat signed with SV Werder Bremen. Facing stiffer competition, he still managed to play nearly 100 official games in three seasons and also helped the club win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in his debut campaign, although he did not play in the final against AS Monaco FC. Legat then spent one season at Eintracht Frankfurt, playing as a defensive complement to Augustine Okocha, and then moved for VfB Stuttgart. With the latter, he began suffering from injuries, undergoing two Achilles tendon surgeries. Additionally, Legat was involved in a racist incident with Guinean Pablo Thiam, a teammate, in early 1999. He was immediately released, only appearing 40 times in four years combined, and spent two more injury-ravaged years at FC Schalke 04, subsequently retiring. In 2005–06, Legat spent one year coaching Werder's under-19 side. The following year, he would be involved in another incident, in which he brandished a samurai sword to a group of youngsters after being threatened alongside his wife, slightly hitting one in the head.