Sebastian Pelzer

Born in Trier, Pelzer began his career with FSV Salmrohr before joining 1. FC Kaiserslautern as a 16-year-old. He played for the U19's for two years before progressing to their reserve side for three years when he was promoted to first team by Otto Rehhagel who coached the club to the Bundesliga title in 1998.

English Premier League

In 2002 he moved to England, signing for Blackburn Rovers. He made his debut as a reserve player before making his first team appearance in the Football League Cup against Walsall. However, injuries were to blight his time at Blackburn and he was unable to make it back into the first team.

Return to Germany with Eintracht Trier

He returned to Germany after eighteen months at Ewood Park, joining his hometown club, SV Eintracht Trier 05 who were fighting relegation at the time. Pelzer helped the club back into safety where they finished that season in impressive 11th place. He played here for a season and a half, leaving in 2005 after the club's relegation from the 2. Bundesliga. Linked to A.C. Perugia Calcio, Real Murcia, Hannover 96 and Borussia Mönchengladbach he instead was advised by his agent to make the short journey to 1. FC Saarbrücken, where he played for one season. Despite ambitious plans for promotion with the signing of players such as Mustapha Hadji Saarbrücken suffered relegation, and Pelzer left the club.

Dynamo Dresden

He then signed for Dynamo Dresden in October 2006, where he became a fans'…

Chicago Fire

On 28 December 2019, Sebastian Pelzer was announced as the new Technical Director of Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire. The official press release stated: "[Pelzer] will work on all aspects of the Fire’s football operations and will report to new Fire Sporting Director Georg Heitz. In his role as Technical Director, Pelzer, will scout and evaluate players locally and abroad; help establish relationships with clubs around the world; work closely with Fire Head Coach Raphael Wicky and the coaching and technical staff; as well as help with the football operations budget and team salary cap." In an article in the Chicago Tribune, Heitz described Pelzer as a “maniac” with an extensive knowledge of players. “Sebastian is a database. He knows so many players, he’s interested in various markets. He monitors players every day. He really, in a positive sense, is quite a bit of a maniac when it comes to players. He always tries to find players every day.” Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto describes both Georg Heitz and Sebastian Pelzer as “critical to our future.” Perhaps unusually for an owner he went on to say, “I’m willing to spend as fast as Georg and Sebastian are willing to build in terms of a scouting organization and building up our development of the academy and youth programs.” On August 18, 2021, it was announced that Fire Owner, Mansueto, had purchased FC Lugano and that the Fire and FC Lugano were to work together as sister clubs. Pelzer was…

Pelzer is the father of FC Energie Cottbus defender Gianluca Pelzer, born 2006. As of July 2026 Gianluca is on loan at Eintracht Trier where he wears the same number 25 shirt once worn by his father.