Mats Köhlert


Mats Köhlert is a German professional footballer and former child actor who plays as a left-back or left winger for Danish Superliga club Brøndby.

Club career

Early years

Mats Köhlert was born in Hamburg and attended the Grundschule in Norderstedt, a suburb of the million city at the north of Germany. He played for SC Sperber Hamburg and Eintracht Norderstedt and for the youth teams of FC St. Pauli, before he joined the youth academy of Hamburger SV.

Hamburger SV

In 2016, Köhlert signed his first professional contract with Hamburger SV. He made his professional debut for Hamburg in the 2. Bundesliga on 30 March 2019, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute for Vasilije Janjičić in the 0–0 away draw against VfL Bochum.

Willem II

On 1 July 2019, Köhlert signed with Eredivisie club Willem II following the expiration of his contract with Hamburger SV. At the time, the club's technical director was former Netherlands international and 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up Joris Mathijsen, who had also played professionally for Hamburger SV.
In his debut season, Köhlert became a regular starter, featuring in all 26 Eredivisie matches prior to the suspension of the campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He contributed six goals and four assists, helping Willem II finish fifth in the league and qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.
In Europe, Willem II defeated Progrès Niederkorn of Luxembourg in the second qualifying round, but were eliminated in the third round following a 4–0 home defeat to Rangers. In the 2020–21 Eredivisie season, Köhlert made 32 appearances, though only 15 as a starter. The following campaign, he returned to the starting line-up more consistently, starting 29 times in 33 appearances during the 2021–22 Eredivisie season. Willem II were relegated to the Eerste Divisie at the end of that season.

Heerenveen

On 21 June 2022, Köhlert signed a three-year contract with Heerenveen. Operating primarily as a left-back or left wing-back, he quickly established himself as a regular starter and a key component in both defensive organisation and attacking transitions.
In the 2024–25 campaign, Köhlert delivered his most productive season at the club. He created 62 chances and completed 70 successful crosses, reflecting a significant contribution to Heerenveen's attacking phase. Defensively, he recorded 40 interceptions, 37 successful tackles, and won 122 duels over the course of the league season, highlighting his two-way effectiveness.
Köhlert's performances were recognised by the club and supporters alike, as he was named SC Heerenveen Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season. His consistent displays and work rate earned praise for balancing defensive discipline with offensive support, making him one of the side's most dependable performers.

Brøndby

On 23 May 2025, Köhlert signed a four-year contract with Danish Superliga club Brøndby, effective from 1 July 2025.

International career

In 2015, Köhlert was included in the Germany U17 national team for the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Bulgaria. He made four appearances in the tournament, with the team managing to reach the final before losing 4–1 to France. However, the team still managed to qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, with Köhlert subsequently included in Germany's squad. He appeared in all four of Germany's matches, with the team being eliminated in the round of 16 after a 2–0 defeat to Croatia.
In 2017, Köhlert was included in Germany's squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Georgia. He made one appearance in the tournament, Germany's opening match against the Netherlands, which finished as a 4–1 loss. The team were eliminated in the group stage of the tournament.

Acting career

Köhlert first appeared as a child in commercials for Kinder Chocolate, BMW, IKEA, Smarties, McDonald's and Tchibo. In 2008, he played an uncredited role as a child in the film . In 2009, he appeared as Philipp in the episode "Schwanenmord" of the television series Die Pfefferkörner. Later that year, he played the role of Klein Brakelmann in the episode "Goldene Erinnerungen" of the television series Neues aus Büttenwarder. Köhlert played his first major role at the side of Maria Furtwängler as Uwe in the 2011 television film Schicksalsjahre. In the same year, he took part in the episode "Borowski und der coole Hund" of the German police procedural Tatort.

Honours

Individual