The next Granit Xhaka?

Stats correct as of 16 July 2025

Leon Avdullahu

Age: 21 (born 23 February 2004)
Club: Hoffenheim
Position: Defensive midfielder
Country: Switzerland (22 youth caps)

Key stats

Avdullahu helped boyhood club Basel win a Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup double in 2024/25, playing 39 times across the two competitions. Although only his second full season with the pros, the 5'8" midfielder ranked in the top three for passing accuracy, top four for tackles won, top seven for forward passes and top 25 for interceptions.

Avdullahu, who made a total of 71 appearances for the Basel seniors and has been capped at every youth level for Switzerland, has also showcased his leadership qualities by captaining his country's U21s in a March 2025 friendly against Austria. The Solothurn native signed a long-term deal with Hoffenheim on 12 June 2025.

Plays a bit like: Granit Xhaka

Strong in the tackle, a pin-point passer of the ball and natural leader, Avdullahu is a very similar player to self-professed idol and fellow countryman Xhaka - just a right-footed version. Fittingly, he earned the nickname 'the quiet strategist' in his Basel days.

Did you know?

Avdullahu was Basel's first homegrown player since Noah Okafor - now of AC Milan and a fully fledged Switzerland international - to make the breakthrough to the first team.

What they're saying

"At only 21, Leon has already established himself as a starter and a key performer in defensive midfield for Basel. He is a strategically minded player who combines aggression and tough tackling with good vision and strong technical abilities." - Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker

"Leon was never physically superior to others, but he was always one step ahead in everything else." - Avdullahu's former youth coach Roland Vetter