Fabian Herbers Throws On the #21 — What Happens Next Is Ridiculously Funny!
When Fabian Herbers steps onto the pitch for CF Montréal, you can tell he brings more than just experience. Here’s a midfielder who’s spent nearly a decade in Major League Soccer, sharpening his game with Philadelphia, Chicago, and now Montréal.
He wears number 21, and the German native mixes technical skill with a work rate that makes him a steady presence in the lineup.
His path wasn’t exactly typical. From his early days in Germany and the Netherlands to starring at Creighton University, Herbers built a career on consistency and adaptability.
At Creighton, he scored 28 goals in 61 matches. That earned him Big East honors and a spot in the school’s Hall of Fame, setting up a professional journey that’s seen him log over 200 MLS appearances.
Now, as he begins his chapter with CF Montréal, you get a player who understands the league, reads the game well, and can chip in both in attack and in transition.
His signing through 2026 shows the club wants to blend veteran leadership with an evolving roster.
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FABIAN HERBERS at CF Montreal
Fabian Herbers brings over 200 MLS appearances and a steady record of production to CF Montréal. His experience in both attacking and midfield roles gives the club flexibility.
His track record at Creighton University proves he can step up in key moments.
Signing Details
CF Montréal signed Herbers as a free agent on January 3, 2025, after six seasons with Chicago Fire FC.
The 31-year-old German agreed to a deal running through 2026, so the club gets a veteran presence for a couple of campaigns.
Herbers started out in Germany and the Netherlands before moving to the U.S. to play for Creighton University. He scored 28 goals in 61 games and earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Before he landed in Montréal, he played 152 regular-season matches for Chicago, with 15 goals and 15 assists.
Philadelphia Union picked him sixth overall in the 2016 SuperDraft, launching his MLS journey.
Contract Overview
Year Signed | Contract Length | Age at Signing | Previous Club | Transfer Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | 2 years | 31 | Chicago Fire | Free Agent |
Role in the Team
You’ll likely see Herbers operate as a right winger or central midfielder, depending on what the team needs tactically.
He presses high, links play, and delivers accurate passes, which makes him valuable in both possession-based and counterattacking systems.
CF Montréal taps into his experience from multiple competitions, including the USL Championship and MLS playoffs.
He offers depth across several attacking positions, which helps when injuries or fixture congestion hit.
Herbers creates chances for teammates with his vision and work rate. His versatility lets him adapt if the lineup changes, so he’s a dependable option for a long MLS season.
Jersey Number 21
Herbers wears jersey number 21 for CF Montréal. This number became part of his identity when he joined the club in 2025.
Numbers often carry personal meaning for players, but they also help fans spot them quickly on the pitch.
For Herbers, number 21 shows up in both MLS and Canadian Championship matches.
Fans tracking his performances will associate this number with his contributions in midfield and attack.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, number 21 brings veteran poise to Montréal’s lineup.
Career History
You can trace Fabian Herbers’ path through three main stages, each marked by steady contributions and reliable production.
From his early professional years in Philadelphia to a long run in Chicago, and a decorated college career at Creighton, his record shows reliability and adaptability at every level.
Philadelphia Union Years
Herbers arrived in MLS when the Philadelphia Union selected him sixth overall in the 2016 SuperDraft.
That high pick reflected his scoring at Creighton and his readiness to contribute immediately.
In Philadelphia, he played 53 league matches over three seasons, logging 2,112 minutes.
He scored four goals and added nine assists in MLS play.
He also spent time with Bethlehem Steel FC, the Union’s USL Championship affiliate, where he scored eight goals and recorded four assists.
Philadelphia Union Stats (2016–2018)
Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
MLS Regular Season | 53 | 4 | 9 |
USL Championship | — | 8 | 4 |
Chicago Fire FC Tenure
Looking at his Chicago years, you see a picture of stability.
Herbers arrived in December 2018 via trade and stuck around for six seasons, becoming a regular in the lineup.
He played 152 matches, starting 105, and logged 9,059 minutes.
He chipped in 15 goals and 15 assists, moving between midfield and wing roles as needed.
Chicago used him as a versatile piece, shifting him between attacking and wide positions.
That flexibility kept him in the rotation through coaching changes and roster turnover.
Chicago Fire FC Stats (2019–2024)
Matches | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|---|
152 | 105 | 9,059 | 15 | 15 |
Youth and College Soccer
Before MLS, Herbers developed in Germany and the Netherlands.
He spent time with FC Twente’s academy, which helped sharpen his technical skills.
He then moved to the U.S. to play for Creighton University from 2013 to 2015.
In 61 matches, he scored 28 goals and helped the Bluejays win the 2013 Big East title.
Herbers earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2014 and was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In 2023, Creighton inducted him into its Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact on the program.
You can check out more about his career on CF Montréal’s official profile.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fabian Herbers brings a balanced mix of technical skill, work rate, and tactical awareness to CF Montréal.
His game blends attacking intent with defensive discipline, shaped by years in MLS and his standout run at Creighton.
Midfield Versatility
You can slot Herbers into multiple roles across the midfield and forward lines without losing structure.
He has played as a winger, central midfielder, and second striker, adapting to each role’s demands.
At Creighton, he thrived as a forward, scoring 28 goals in 61 matches.
In MLS, he moved to a wider role, using his vision and passing range to
MLS Performance
You can really see Herbers’ consistency when you look at his minutes and match appearances. Since he joined CF Montréal in January 2025 as a free agent, he’s regularly started matches.
He plays both centrally and out wide, so as a coach or analyst, you get tactical flexibility.
Here’s a quick look at his recent MLS numbers:
Season | Club | Matches Played | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Chicago Fire | 31 | 27 | 2,230 | 4 | 5 |
2025* | CF Montréal | 18 | 15 | 1,240 | 2 | 3 |
*2025 season in progress
He puts in a ton of work and covers ground defensively, often winning the ball back in the middle third. You’ll spot him making smart passes under pressure, which helps keep the attack moving.
Goal Contributions
Herbers doesn’t have a flashy scoring record, but he’s steady. Back at Creighton University, he knocked in 28 goals over 61 matches—pretty solid for a college player. That kind of production carried into his pro career.
In MLS, his goals and assists add up, making him a reliable contributor even without taking a ton of shots.
During 2024, he put up 9 total goal contributions for Chicago Fire. Now with CF Montréal in 2025, he’s already got 5 goal contributions and it’s only midseason.
You’ll notice he likes to arrive late in the box, which gives him space and better chances to shoot. His right foot is pretty accurate from the edge of the area, adding another threat to Montréal’s attack.
Personal Background
Fabian Herbers built his career step by step in Europe and the U.S., picking up recognition in college and the pros. He spent time in youth programs in two countries, had standout years at Creighton University, and has stuck around in Major League Soccer.
Early Life
You were born on August 17, 1993 in Ahaus, Germany, which sits near the Dutch border. Growing up, you played in both German and Dutch youth systems. That mix gave you a taste of different coaching styles and competition.
By your late teens, you moved to the United States for college at Creighton University. From 2013 to 2015, you scored 28 goals in 61 matches for the Bluejays. Those performances earned you the Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and a spot as a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
Creighton inducted you into its Hall of Fame in 2023, honoring your impact on the program. Here’s a quick summary of your college stats:
Season | Matches | Goals | Assists | Honors |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 21 | 10 | 5 | Big East Champion |
2014 | 22 | 12 | 6 | Big East Offensive Player of the Year |
2015 | 18 | 6 | 7 | MAC Hermann Finalist |
Off-the-Field Interests
When you’re not on the pitch, you dive into community engagement and youth soccer programs. You’ve jumped in to lead clinics for young players, passing along your technical skills and a bit of hard-earned experience.
You keep a close eye on European football, especially the Bundesliga and Eredivisie. Those leagues shaped your early days, so following them just feels natural—it’s a way to stay rooted in the styles you grew up with.
During downtime, you stick to simple routines. Maybe you’re hanging out with family, or you’re wandering through a new city during the MLS season. You also keep up a disciplined fitness routine, which, let’s be honest, probably explains how you’ve managed to stay so reliable over more than 200 league matches.
For more about your professional journey, check out your CF Montréal profile.