Boateng started his career at Hertha BSC where he developed from the youth ranks to the main team. After his first season at Hertha, he soon signed for Hamburger SV and established himself as an integral part of the team, helping Hamburg reach the two consecutive UEFA Europa League semi-finals. After one season in England with Manchester City, he joined Bayern Munich in 2011 and has since won domestic and European honours with the club, notably the continental treble in the 2012–13 and 2019–20 seasons.