Born in
Herford,
West Germany, Helmer began his professional career with
Arminia Bielefeld, playing four games late in
1984–85, in a season that ended in relegation. In the following season, he netted five goals in 35
second division matches, prompting interest from
Borussia Dortmund, which signed him in 1986. A key element from the start, Helmer also scored 16 goals during his six-season stint. In 1992, he joined
FC Bayern Munich in controversial circumstances. Dortmund did not wish to sell Helmer, one of its best players, to a rival Bundesliga team, and sent him to France's
Olympique Lyonnais instead. However, only three months later, Lyon sold Helmer to Bayern Munich for 7.5 million
marks, at the time a record transfer fee paid by the
Bavarian club. The resulting furore became so heated that the
Germany national side coach
Berti Vogts threatened to drop Helmer from the
UEFA Euro 92 squad because of the distraction the affair was causing. Sunderland manager
Peter Reid hardly used him, however, making just two league appearances against Leeds United and
Arsenal and he returned to Germany on loan with
Hertha BSC. Although he had appeared in the
UEFA Champions League for Hertha, upon his return to Sunderland, Reid judged that "his legs had gone", and the club bought-out his contract, with the player retiring immediately afterwards. ==International career==