Bayer Leverkusen sign young Hertha Berlin talent Ibrahim Maza
Bayer Leverkusen have signed teen-aged attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza from second division Hertha Berlin on a five-year contract until 2030, the Bundesliga champions said on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Algeria international is seen as a huge talent, and there had been speculation for weeks that he would leave Hertha despite a contract until 2027 for Leverkusen.
Advertisement
The transfer fee has been estimated at €12 million ($13.6 million) which is a welcome fee for cash-strapped Hertha.
"Ibrahim Maza is currently one of the most interesting young attacking players," Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes said.
"Ibrahim suits us and our style of football. He has outstanding technical ability, is good at dribbling and assertive and he also has vision for his teammates who he can brilliantly bring into play."
Berlin-born Maza played for the German U18, U19 and U20 teams before opting to play for his father's country of Algeria in 2024. He joined Hertha in 2018 and is a key player for them now.
Advertisement
Maza named the Leverkusen transfer "a great chance – a dream! I had the best opportunities to develop and improve with Hertha in the second division. Now I want to prove myself on the big stage with a top European club."
Maza is considered a potential successor for German international Florian Wirtz who has a Leverkusen contract until 2027 but is subject of interest from several European top clubs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich impressed with Luis Diaz's Bayern Munich debut
New Bayern Munich signing Luis Diaz has already had a chance to make his first appearance for his Bundesliga club. The former Liverpool attacker logged 45 minutes as a substitute in Bayern's Saturday pre-season friendly against Olympique Lyon. It did not take long for the 28-year-old to get his name on the scoresheet. Diaz recorded an assist on Michael Olise's 1-1 in the 53rd minute by drawing a penalty. Diaz himself produced three efforts on goal. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, lead striker Harry Kane, and squad vice captain Joshua Kimmich have had a chance to comment on the Colombian. Freund found himself answering questions about whether – in light of Diaz's work on the wing opposite the ultra-talented Michael Olise – whether Bayern have finally found a new version of the famous Arjen Robben-Franck Ribbery partnership 'He looked very fresh,' Freund remarked in the mixed zone. 'He got three big chances in. He's gotten stuck in well. From the very start, one's sensed his joy. He's here to have fun. His interest in FC Bayern is noticeable. 'He's a very intense and industrious player,' Freund continued. 'He's very mature and speedy. He's an absolute team player who's very dangerous in front of goal. We can expect lots of scorer points [goals and assists] from him. 'Regardless of whom we talked about him with at Liverpool, everyone agreed he was an absolute team player,' Freund concluded. 'He fits the profile of the player we're looking for.' 'We always say, 'don't believe the hype or the drama',' Freund later stated when asked about a potential 'Robbery Revival'. 'Let's keep things grounded. Michael [Olise] has been here for a year. Luis Diaz is a top quality player who has achieved a lot. I'm looking forward to what's to come.' 'I've already noticed on the training pitch that he really likes football,' Kimmich noted in his own mixed zone interview. 'He always has a smile on his face. He likes to come to training irrespective of which team he's playing for. 'He really enjoys football and that's precisely what we need,' Kimmich continued. 'He likes to work even when it hurts. He has an intensity about him, though he could have scored today.' 'I think Thomas [Müller] had issues [helping integrating players],' Kimmich answered when asked – without Müller – who would be the leading figure helping to integrate Diaz into the team. 'We have a few who speak Spanish. I think it'll be fine. We'll get it done.' Diaz's former Premier League colleague Kane didn't think that Bayern would have to fall back on Spanish speakers, noting that four years spent at Liverpool had ensured that Diaz's English was 'okay'. Kane had more to add. 'I think he did well today,' Kane said. 'We're really going to need him this season. I'm happy to have him. As a striker, you enjoy playing with players like that. I thought he was very effective during his time at Liverpool. He can make the difference. I think he'll contribute here.' GGFN |
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea Are Ready To Launch A Move For This Bundesliga Playmaker: Should Maresca Snap Him Up?
In a recent post on X, journalist Florian Plettenberg claimed that Chelsea are ready to launch a move for Red Bull Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons this summer. It has been revealed that the Blues are eager to strengthen their squad by recruiting the Dutch attacker this off-season. Simons had a decent campaign at the German club recently as he was responsible for producing a series of impressive displays for them in the final third. The Dutch talent banged in 11 goals and grabbed eight assists in 33 matches for RB Leipzig last season across all fronts. The 22-year-old was a real menace in the final third and did well to average 2.09 shots per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. He kept 46% of his attempts on target. Simons even distributed the ball relatively well after completing 78.6% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via Simons is under contract at the Red Bull Arena until the summer of 2027, which could make it difficult for the Blues to land him on the cheap this off-season. LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 03: Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München at Red Bull Arena on May 03, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by) Should Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Snap Simons Up This Summer? Simons is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and can make some driving runs with it out in the wide areas. He can strike the ball with venom from long range and has got the vision to play a few killer passes in the final third. The Dutch talent is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play as a winger on either flank if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Blues manage to acquire his services this summer. Simons would bring more firepower to Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca's attack. He is good enough to challenge for a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge next season. At 22, Simons has got the potential to be a future star in English football. Thus, Maresca would be wise to snap him up before the end of this transfer window. Furthermore, he might help the West London club compete across all competitions in the coming years.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Granit Xhaka explains why he signed for Sunderland
Granit Xhaka says joining Sunderland is the 'biggest challenge' of his career, as he returns to the Premier League after two years in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen. Photo byThe 32‑year‑old midfielder, who made 297 appearances for Arsenal before leaving in 2023, signed for Sunderland in a £13 million deal that could rise by a further £4 million. For Xhaka, the move is about creating history. 'It's a different type of pressure for sure,' he said. 'For myself, for the club but also for the teammates. I have a good feeling, I am seeing where we can make a big change and I want to be a part of that. To write our own history.' 'Writing history' is something he has mentioned in other interviews, too. 'I'm very proud to be here,' Xhaka said on his arrival. 'When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. 'I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well.' Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images Xhaka arrives as one of the most experienced players in the Sunderland squad, having won the FA Cup twice with Arsenal and 23/24's Bundesliga and DFB‑Pokal double with Leverkusen. He said his Premier League knowledge will be key: 'I was in the UK for seven years before and I know the mentality. I know the league and what you can expect from me is a lot of experience from different types of European football. 'In a team, you need a good balance with young players and experienced players. I am still not finished, I am hungry to achieve many things.' Photo byThat hunger has already impressed the Black Cat's hierarchy, who see Xhaka as a player to guide a squad built largely on youth. Sunderland boss Regis le Bris added: 'First of all, it's a massive statement about the attractiveness of the club. If a player of that dimension, says yes to our project, it means something. 'He brings many things for the balance of the squad. He's a captain, a leader, has strong experience in the Premier League and the national team. We're really happy.' Xhaka himself is clear about the task ahead: 'This may be the biggest challenge of my career so far. But I took it and I want to show that day‑by‑day and on the pitch as well. I am sure this team will give everything on the pitch. From the first whistle 'til the end. 'Whatever happens, we need the support of the club from the fans but we will give everything and hopefully we can achieve our goals.' Photo via Former Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley believes Xhaka's experience can be pivotal. 'He's got a bit of character to him, that's always key in the Premier League,' said Bardsley. 'He's quite colourful, he knows how to put his foot in, score goals and get around the pitch. He's been there and done it in the Premier League. He's a good fit.' Xhaka's passing range is also exceptional and he is a far better player than many pundits would have you believe. For Xhaka, who rebuilt his reputation at Arsenal after losing the captaincy in 2019 and went on to become a fan favourite under Mikel Arteta, the move to Wearside is about proving himself as a leader: a seasoned professional stepping into a newly promoted team and embracing one more major challenge.
