Bundesligas Alexander Schwolow Discusses His Journey to Success with Hearts in Scotland

Alexander Schwolow Discusses His Journey to Hearts of Midlothian

Former Bundesliga goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow shared insights about his new chapter abroad. After making 206 appearances in Germany’s top flight for clubs such as Freiburg, Schalke, Hertha, and Union Berlin, the 33-year-old moved outside the country for the first time this summer. He is now the starting goalkeeper for Edinburgh’s Hearts of Midlothian.

A New Beginning Abroad

Following the non-renewal of his contract with Union Berlin, Schwolow considered staying in the German league. Unexpectedly, the Scottish club offered him a deal as a free agent, and the decision has turned out well. Hearts are currently leading the Scottish Premiership after 11 matches, with Schwolow making seven starts and keeping five clean sheets.

Historic Potential

Schwolow has sometimes been labeled as one of the more disappointing figures in German football. However, if Hearts maintain their strong form, he could secure a special place in the club’s history. Hearts have not won the Scottish title in 65 years, and it has been 40 years since a team outside Glasgow claimed the championship. Schwolow acknowledged this historical context in the interview.

The fans provide excellent support and we have a talented squad with many standout players,

he said about the team’s ambitions.

It’s still a competitive league with a championship playoff, several teams playing on artificial turf, and plenty of rain. We’re just a third of the way through the season, and we cannot overlook strong teams like Celtic and Rangers.

Adjusting to Life in Edinburgh

Reflecting on how he ended up in Edinburgh, Schwolow shared a light-hearted moment, admitting that before the move, he was not very familiar with the club.

I knew of the team from their appearances in European competitions, but I didn’t realize it was based in Edinburgh,

he said.

My agent spoke highly of the circumstances, the organization, and the city. At first, I thought, “It rains all the time in Berlin, and now Scotland?”

He explained that his family visited Edinburgh and attended a remarkable match in which the team came back from a 0–3 deficit against Motherwell. After experiencing the atmosphere, he felt encouraged to make the move.

We went to Edinburgh without any pressure, and after watching that game, I understood my agent’s enthusiasm. After a weekend of discussions, I decided to go for it.

Embracing the Culture

Schwolow spoke about adapting to life in the Scottish capital and how local fans interact with players. He expressed satisfaction with choosing Hearts over other potential offers, including some from Turkey.

I found a house in Bruntsfield, close to a large park,

he said.

It’s only a 15-minute walk to the castle, the city’s main attraction. People here are quite reserved; you can sense that they need a bit of courage to ask for a picture.

He added that footballers are held in high regard in Scotland, sometimes so much that fans hesitate to approach them. On the pitch, everything is going well for him, and he appreciates the beauty of Edinburgh, even if the weather can be challenging.

Language Challenges

Discussing the language barrier, Schwolow admitted he finds it particularly difficult to understand some players from Glasgow.

The accent is almost like a different language,

he said.

If you miss the topic of conversation at breakfast, you can end up lost in translation.

He mentioned some of the colorful phrases used by locals and noted that fans often create songs about their favorite players, even if he does not always understand the lyrics directed at him.

A Lighthearted Musical Insight

Despite the linguistic challenges, Schwolow is beginning to understand the local football chants, which often rely on clever rhyming. His teammates are already trying to create a catchy chant that includes his name.

We have a real song for Claudio Braga,

he said, referring to a chant set to a well-known melody.

It goes, “All you need is Claudio Braga”. I hope he scores goals so everyone can sing his song!

Reflecting on the Past

Towards the end of the interview, Schwolow spoke about the difficulties he faced in the Bundesliga, especially his challenging transfer to Hertha Berlin in January 2020 and his relegation season with Schalke 04 in 2022/23.

The period at Schalke was very draining,

he said.

Seeing the disappointment on fans’ faces week after week made it hard to disconnect when I got home.

He acknowledged that there were many low points that affected him deeply, despite performing well in individual matches.

I think those moments strengthened my resolve. I stayed persistent, and now my efforts are being rewarded again. That makes me happy!