Robert Tesche

Arminia Bielefeld

In 1993, Wismar-born Tesche began his footballing career for VfL Viktoria Mennighüffen. In 2001–02 he moved to Arminia Bielefeld's youth department. He was considered as one of the most exciting talents of Arminia, and in 2006–07 he moved up to their reserve team. Under head coach Ernst Middendorp, Tesche made his professional debut. It was in the match against Borussia Dortmund, when he surprisingly started in the starting-XI. He was substituted in the 67th minute.

In May 2007 he signed a contract with Arminia Bielefeld, keeping him in the Westphalian city for three years. However, in the first days of July 2009, shortly after Arminia Bielefeld relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga, Tesche was offered a contract with Hamburger SV. In accordance with the board, he was allowed to move to Hamburger SV.

Hamburger SV

In summer 2009, Tesche signed a three-year contract with Hamburger SV. The transfer fee was believed to be €1 million. His contract was extended for two years in summer 2011.

Tesche had his Hamburg debut in the away match against VfL Wolfsburg. He was substituted on in the 90th minute, replacing goalscorer Eljero Elia.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

After only playing 85 minutes in the first half of the 2012–13 Bundesliga season, Tesche transferred to Fortuna Düsseldorf on a loan until 30 June 2013.

Nottingham Forest

On 14 August 2014, Tesche completed a free transfer to Nottingham Forest, where he signed a one-year contract and was reunited with former Hamburg teammate Michael Mancienne. Tesche made his Forest debut against Huddersfield Town in a 2–0 win in the second round of the League Cup on 26 August, playing the full ninety minutes at the John Smith's Stadium. He came second, behind goalscorer and fellow midfielder Henri Lansbury, in the fans' poll for man of the match, with 20% of votes to Lansbury's 49%. Tesche made his league debut four days later against Sheffield Wednesday. Tesche scored his first goal for Forest against Ipswich Town in a 2–2 draw, and also scored a spectacular goal from long-range in a 1–1 draw with Charlton Athletic.

Birmingham City (loan)

After Dougie Freedman replaced Stuart Pearce as manager, Tesche was unable to retain his first-team place, and on 2 March 2015, he joined fellow Championship club Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season. He replaced the suspended Stephen Gleeson in the starting eleven for the next match, at home to Blackpool, and provided the assist for Andy Shinnie's match-winning header. His first goal for the club, a placed shot into the bottom corner after a neat touch from Clayton Donaldson, opened the scoring at home to Rotherham United; Birmingham won 2–1, and Tesche missed late chances to increase the winning margin. He played regularly for the whole of his loan spell, and scored the only goal of Birmingham's last match of the season, at Bolton Wanderers, to confirm their tenth-place finish.

Return to Forest

After returning to Forest after his loan, Tesche impressed Freedman in pre-season training and was included in the starting eleven for the first match of the 2015–16, but a broken foot sustained in that match kept him out until December. Once back to fitness he played regularly until the end of the season. Although he had hoped for a new deal with Forest, he was released when his existing contract expired at the end of that season.

Birmingham City

After his contract with Forest expired, Tesche returned to Birmingham City on a three-year deal.

VfL Bochum (loan)

Tesche joined 2. Bundesliga club VfL Bochum on 31 August 2017 on loan for the remainder of the season.

Career statistics