Pace, creativity and vision: Get to know Brajan Gruda | OneFootball

Anyone who watches Brajan Gruda's highlights will quickly realize that Marcel Schäfer is not exaggerating when he says about our new signing: "Brajan brings good speed, is technically gifted, creative and has great ability on the ball."

A regular in the Premier League

The midfielder made his Bundesliga debut for 1. FSV Mainz 05 in January 2023. The 05ers were already well aware they had a top talent coming through their ranks.

The son of Albanian parents, Brajan quickly made a name for himself. On his ninth appearance, he scored his first Bundesliga goal. He then became a real talisman in Mainz's team, while still just a teenager. After 30 top-flight matches, four goals, three assists and numerous moments of magic, many top European clubs showed great interest in him in the summer of 2024.

Schäfer full of enthusiam, Hürzeler full of admiration

RB Leipzig were also interested at that time, as our sporting director Marcel Schäfer reveals today: "We would have liked to bring him to Leipzig in 2024. Contact was never broken off after that, though."

In the summer of 2024, the Premier League beckoned – and with it, a German coach in Fabian Hürzeler. He took over at Brighton & Hove Albion for the 2024/25 season, having previously won promotion back to the Bundesliga with St. Pauli. Brajan Gruda was his absolute top target. "I saw what a huge impact he had in the Bundesliga last season. He's a player I really admire," said Hürzeler upon Brajan's signing. The midfielder left Mainz in a club-record sale. 

A player that finds gaps before they even exist

Far from home for the first time, with a new language, a new league and a different style of football – the winner of the 2023 Fritz Walter Medal in Silver, awarded annually to Germany's best young talents, began to mature in the Premier League.

His highlights go to show that Brajan doesn't just impress with his one-on-one skills and clean first touch. Even as an attacking player, he tracks back diligently, winning the ball back against more physical opponents.

An eye for a pass

One of his greatest strengths was made clear when the 21-year-old first played in the youth academy of Karlsruher SC and Mainz's first team: his laser vision. Our new number 10 anticipates situations early, recognises the space and often sees things that others can't.

Whether he plays as the number eight, the number 10 or on the wings: Brajan not only plays fast, he thinks fast.

That's why Marcel Schäfer and his team were "immediately enthusiastic" when the opportunity came about for a loan to RB Leipzig. The attacking talent arrives in Leipzig with 39 Premier League appearances under his belt (2 goals, 5 assists).

Praise from Messi

The talent of our new signing has certainly caught the eye of a number of people, including Lionel Messi. In October 2025, the Argentinian presented 10 upcoming talents on playing cards in a promotional video – one of whom was Brajan Gruda.

Brajan's big dream

Who knows, maybe Messi and Brajan will meet in person soon in the USA, Mexico or Canada. Just a few days ago, our new signing revealed in a Sky interview that it's his biggest dream to play for the Germany national team at the 2026 World Cup. "My performances have to be good. That's why I'm giving it my all."

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann will almost certainly have the midfielder's number in his contact list. Ahead of the 2024 EUROs in Germany, Brajan was part of the senior national side's training camp.

At RB Leipzig, Brajan Gruda will give his all with goals, tackles and decisive through balls to become the fourth current Germany international at the club after David Raum, Ridle Baku and Assan Ouédraogo.

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