Brajan Gruda (born 31 May 2004) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club RB Leipzig, on loan from club Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as the Germany national under-21 football team.
Born in Speyer, Gruda began his career with local side FV Speyer, before joining Karlsruher SC in 2015. He joined Mainz 05 at the age of 14, and signed his first professional contract with the club in November 2022.
In January 2023, he was promoted to take part in first team training, and made his senior debut on 25 January 2023 in a 2âÂÂ1 home Bundesliga defeat against Borussia Dortmund. Later that year, on 6 October, he scored his first goal in a 2âÂÂ2 away draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
On 18 May 2024, he scored and assisted in a 3âÂÂ1 victory against VfL Wolfsburg, confirming Mainz 05's survival in the Bundesliga on the last day of the season.
On 14 August 2024, Gruda signed for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a contract until 2028. On 10 May 2025, Gruda scored his first goal in English football in a Premier League match during a 2âÂÂ0 away win at Wolves.
On 2 February 2026, Gruda returned to Germany and joined Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, on a six-month loan until the end of the season.
Gruda is of Albanian descent. He has represented Germany at youth international level.
In September 2023, he was first called up by Germany U21, and he made his U21 debut in a 3âÂÂ0 victory against Kosovo, he provided three assists in the match.
In May 2024, he trained with the senior national team prior to the UEFA Euro 2024. He departed the training camp on 5 June after a calf injury.
Gruda is the son of Albanian former Vllaznia player Bujar Gruda. He is also related to fellow footballer Ildi Gruda. His ancestry traces to the Gruda tribe of Northern Albania.
Since Brajan Gruda started playing as a starter for Mainz, the Albanian federation has tried to convince him to play for Albania, but the player has refused. Albanian media have always asked during Sylvinho's press conferences whether Gruda could join the Albanian national team, but he avoided the question by saying "they were working on it".
In October 2024, in an interview on the German national channel, he stated: "I don't know what the future holds, my parents are Albanian but my heart says I want to play for Germany."
In June 2025, coach Alban Bushi stated that he had spoken with Brajan's parents and was in contact with them, saying that Brajan will join Albania only if he doesnâÂÂt receive a call-up from Germany.
Germany U21
Individual