Rafael Czichos
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_by_Sandro_Halank–007.jpg) Czichos with 1. FC Köln in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 May 1990[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Phoenix Rising | ||
| Youth career | |||
| FSV Verden 04 | |||
| –2008 | TSV Ottersberg | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2010 | TSV Ottersberg | 62 | (15) |
| 2010–2012 | VfL Wolfsburg II | 23 | (1) |
| 2012–2015 | Rot-Weiss Erfurt | 99 | (9) |
| 2015–2018 | Holstein Kiel | 99 | (12) |
| 2018–2022 | 1. FC Köln | 103 | (4) |
| 2022–2024 | Chicago Fire | 86 | (6) |
| 2025– | Phoenix Rising | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 28 August 2025 | |||
Rafael Czichos (born 14 May 1990) is a Saudi-German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for USL Championship club Phoenix Rising.
Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia while his father worked there,[2] Czichos began his career at TSV Ottersberg and joined VfL Wolfsburg II in 2010. In 2012, he signed with then 3. Liga side Rot-Weiss Erfurt. After signing with Holstein Kiel, Czichos first played in the 2. Bundesliga when the team won promotion in 2017.[3]
However, Kiel failed to win promotion after the 2017–18 season and he was sold to newly relegated side 1. FC Köln for a fee of €1.8 million.[4] He made his debut, including his first goal, for the club in a 2–0 victory against VfL Bochum on 4 August 2018.[5] Having been an undisputed starter in the first half of the 2021–22 season, he left 1. FC Köln in January 2022, with half a year left on his contract. kicker described the move as "surprising".[6]
On 2 January 2022, Czichos transferred to Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire on a three-year contract.[7][8] Czichos was released by Chicago following their 2024 season.[9]
On 28 August 2025, Czichos signed with USL Championship side Phoenix Rising on a contract that would keep him at the club through 2026.[10]
