Career
Born in Waldbröl, Schlaudraff started playing professionally for Borussia Mönchengladbach, mainly as a midfielder. Schlaudraff transferred to Alemannia Aachen in January 2005, eventually reconverting into a striker and being named team captain. In 2005-2006"s second level, he netted 11 goals to help the side return to the first division after a four-decade hiatus.
Although Schlaudraff performed well in the following campaign, Alemannia dropped a level after just one season, but he caught the eye of league powerhouse Bayern Munich, for a transfer fee of €1.2 million.
Competition for him was fierce, with established internationals Miroslav Klose, Luca Toni and Lukas Podolski ahead in the pecking order. Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld chose to use Schlaudraff as a substitute in a few matches, and in most cases as an attacking midfielder.
After scoring another two goals against Indian side Mohun Bagan in a 3–0 victory, Schlaudraff"s pre-season tally boasted 15 goals in just five games. In July 2008, he moved to Hannover 96.
There he was used exclusively as striker, and scored his first two goals on 14 September 2008, against former team Borussia Mönchengladbach, in a 5–1 home success.
On 18 August 2011, Schlaudraff scored both Hannover goals in their 2–1 victory over Sevilla Football Club in the Europa League. In June 2015, he left Hannover after he did not receive an extension of his expiring contract. Courtesy of his Alemannia performances, Schlaudraff made his debut for Germany when he was called up for two games in October 2006: a friendly against Georgia and a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia.
