A double-winner at Heidenheim

Statistics correct as of 28 July 2025

Diant Ramaj
Age: 23 (born 19 September 2001)
Club: Heidenheim (on loan from Borussia Dortmund)
Position: Goalkeeper
Country: Germany (three U20 caps)

Key stats

Born in Stuttgart to Kosovo-Albanian parents, Ramaj was briefly on the books of VfB Stuttgart before joining Stuttgarter Kickers for a three-year spell in 2015. A switch to Heidenheim was the next step in his fledgling career where he featured for U-19 side before debuting with the pros.

Ramaj spent three years at Eintracht, beginning in summer 2021, where he made his Bundesliga debut. A move to Ajax opened the door to regular football in 2023/24, but he fell down the pecking order the following season, before leaving for Dortmund in February 2025.

The ex-Germany U20 international spent the remainder of the campaign on loan at Copenhagen, keeping 10 clean sheets in 19 games as the Danes won a league and cup double. Upon rejoining Heidenheim on a season-long loan, the 6'1" custodian was confirmed as the club's new No.1.

Plays a bit like: Manuel Neuer

Ramaj does not have the massive frame nor the equally large medal collection (at least, not yet) of the Bayern Munich stopper - whom he describes as "the best of the best" - but Dortmund's new goalkeeper seeks to ooze the same sort of infectious confidence to his team. "I'm a calm guy in general," explained Ramaj when speaking to Ajax's in-house media. "In the team and at home too. I want to radiate confidence."

That is also true when his team are in possession as Ramaj is - like Neuer - very comfortable with the ball at his feet. "I used to be an outfield player until I was eleven and I became a goalkeeper at Stuttgart," he explained, adding that kickabouts with his older brother and friends also helped. "That's why I'm pretty decent with my feet."

Did you know?

Ramaj is meticulous about his profession. "I work really hard on the details," he said in an interview with Ajax. "I work on how my feet are, in which position my body is. It's sometimes too much, but this is the highest level. If you want to achieve that, you have to do it.

What they're saying

"Diant is a young German goalkeeper with lots of potential. Match practice is the most important thing for him at the moment – and he will get that in Copenhagen." - Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl

"What I really liked was the performance of Diant Ramaj, who was fantastic." - Glasner after Ramaj's nerveless Bundesliga debut

"He was fantastic. He was good on the ball but also with his saves, that's what he's there for. He did a tremendous job." - ex-Ajax coach John Van't Schip following one of Ramaj's Eredivisie performances