Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler

The Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler e. V. (VDV) is the professional footballer's union in Germany. It has approximately 1,300 members, playing in the German professional leagues. Nowadays, it is possible that junior footballers at the beginning of their professional careers, can also be members from the age of fifteen. Footballers who have been playing abroad or having finished their career can stay members.

The union was founded on 15 June 1987 in Offenbach am Main by the former professional footballers Benno Möhlmann, Ewald Lienen and Frank Pagelsdorf, together with colleagues like Guido Buchwald, Florian Gothe, Charly Körbel and Bruno Labbadia. The goal was to work in the interest of the players. Especially important at that time were considered the topics of work and contract conditions, independence of players and their participation, democratization of professional football. In general, the goal is to give the players a common voice towards the clubs and associations.