Soccer player height advantages can have a huge impact on the soccer pitch. But who are the tallest soccer players currently playing professional soccer? Here are all the tallest football players who play in outfield positions – goalkeepers are not included.
Yang Changpeng & Vitali Shuhanau – Height 2.05m (6ft8½) – World’s Tallest Soccer Players
Born in 1989, Chinese striker Yang Changpeng is currently the tallest soccer player in professional football. While his exact height varies from one internet profile to the next (FIFA.com have him listed at 2.09m or 6ft10½) he is unquestionably the world’s tallest soccer player. Known as “China’s Peter Crouch”, he has spent his career so far with Wuhan Guanggu and Three Gorges Kangtian in China.
In 2006, Yang Changpeng had a brief moment in the spotlight when he was invited to train for a month with Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. In an interview with David Facey for The Sun, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said that “Like Crouchie [Peter Crouch], Yang is not just a handful in the air. He’s very skilful with the ball at his feet” (18Oct 2006).
Information about Vitali Shuhanau (born 1984) is fairly limited – a fact not helped by the various ways in which his name is spelt. "Vitaliy", "Shuganov", "Shuhanov" can all be found online. The 2.05m Belarusian striker began his youth career with Dinamo Minsk before moving on to Lithuanian club FK Suduva. He then moved to Estonian club Nõmme Kalju in 2009. Shuhanau appears to be without a club as of April 2010. Any club looking for a target man might want to take a calculated risk by offering the Belarusian giant a contract....
Tor Hogne Aarøy – Height 2.04m (6ft8½) – Second Tallest Soccer Player
Norwegian striker Tor Hogne Aarøy (b. 1977) currently plays for Norwegian second tier club Aalesunds FK. Standing at a mighty 2.04m, Tor Hogne Aarøy is the second tallest soccer player in an outfield position. A spell with Norwegian champions Rosenborg from 1999 to 2001 was marred by injury, and in 2001 he joined Aalesunds where he plays today.
With Aalesunds, Tor Hogne Aarøy was to find himself being continually relegated and promoted between the Norwegian second tier and Premier League. A consistent goal scorer, his height and heading ability pose a constant threat to opposing defenses.
Øyvind Hoås – Height 2.03m (6ft8)
Another Norwegian striker, Øyvind Hoås (b. 1983) makes the tallest soccer players list at 2.03m. Hoås currently plays for Sarpsborg FK in Norway, having formerly played his football with Molde and Fredrikstad FK. Formerly a Norwegian Under-21’s international, Hoås has been linked with English Conference (Blue Square Premier) side Luton Town and, more recently, League One side Norwich City.
Even Iversen – Height 2.03m (6ft8)
Yes, yet another Norwegian. 26 year old Even Iversen is a towering defender who currently plays for Norwegian Premier League side FK Bodo Glimt. If the Norwegian national team put these three giants (Aarøy, Hoås and Iversen) on the pitch and played for corners, maybe they could launch an assault on the world rankings...
Jan Koller, Stefan Maierhofer and Nikola Žigic – Height 2.02m (6ft7½)
These three strikers all measure a healthy soccer player height of 2.02m. Veteran Czech footballer Jan Koller (b. 1973) looks set to see out the rest of his career with Russian Premier League club Krylya Sovetov Samara. His career has taken him to some of Europe’s biggest clubs such as Sparta Prague, Anderlecht, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco. Koller’s height and strength make him a constant aerial threat, and his goal scoring record for the Czech Republic is unrivalled.
Like Koller, Nikola Žigic is a tall and powerful striker. Born in 1980, the 29 year old is currently playing for Valencia in Spain. His continual battle for first team football has seen him loaned out to his former club Racing de Santander, while transfer rumors have often linked him with a move to the English Premier League. In May 2010, Žigic signed a four year contract with Birmingham City. Žigic is the South Africa 2010 World Cup's tallest player.
Towering Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer (b. 1982) has recently completed a move to the English Premier. Maierhofer signed for newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers from Rapid Vienna in August 2009. He scored on his debut against Blackburn, and now holds the title of tallest soccer player in the Premier League.
Peter Crouch – Height 2.01m (6ft7) – England’s Tallest Football Player
No list of the world’s tallest soccer players would be complete without loveable beanpole Peter Crouch (b. 1981). Despite his 2.01m height being matched by a few other professional footballers, he is the highest profile player amongst them. Before the arrival of Maierhofer, Crouch was the tallest football player in the Premier league. He is still the tallest footballer ever to have played for the English national team.
Crouch continues to feature in Fabio Capello’s England squads, though often on the bench. His recent move to Tottenham Hotspur for a rumored £10 million has opened a new chapter in his career. Unlike some of the above strikers, Crouch’s height is not complimented by great physical strength. While decent in the air, Crouch also relies upon a degree of technical ability not often found in such tall soccer players.
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For the other end of the soccer player height scale have a look at Professional Soccer Shortest Player Info.
If the absence of goalkeepers from the tallest players list seems a little unfair, then perhaps these top three goal scoring goalies will make up for it.
Or check out the craziest football move of all time, Rene Higuita's Scorpion Kick.
Tony Dunnell - Tony Dunnell is a freelance writer and a specialist in South American travel. He has two Peru blogs, howtoperu.com and tarapotolife.com
