Club career
Mainz 05
Born in Speyer, Gruda began his career with local side FV Speyer, before joining Karlsruher SC in 2015. [2] He joined Mainz 05 at the age of 14, and signed his first professional contract with the club in November 2022. [3]
In January 2023, he was promoted to take part in first team training, and made his senior debut on 25 January 2023 in a 2–1 home Bundesliga defeat against Borussia Dortmund. [4] Later that year, on 6 October, he scored his first goal in a 2–2 away draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. [5]
On 18 May 2024, he scored and assisted in a 3–1 victory against VfL Wolfsburg, confirming Mainz 05's survival in the Bundesliga on the last day of the season. [6]
Brighton and Hove Albion
On 14 August 2024, Gruda signed for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a contract until 2028. [7] On 10 May 2025, Gruda scored his first goal in English football in a Premier League match during a 2–0 away win at Wolves. [8]
International career
Gruda is of Albanian descent. [9] He has represented Germany at youth international level. [9] [10]
In September 2023, he was first called up by Germany U21, and he made his U21 debut in a 3–0 victory against Kosovo, he provided three assists in the match. [11] [12]
In May 2024, he trained with the senior national team prior to the UEFA Euro 2024. [13] He departed the training camp on 5 June after a calf injury. [12]
Personal life
Gruda is the son of Albanian former Vllaznia Shkodër player Bujar Gruda. [14] He is also related to fellow footballer Ildi Gruda. [14] His ancestry traces to the Albanian 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." [15] [16]
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 doesn’t receive a call-up from Germany. [17]
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