Bundesliga
Who is Valentin Gendrey?
Valentin Gendrey has made an impressive start to his Bundesliga career, but who is Hoffenheim's marauding wing-back? bundesliga.com finds out...
Data correct as of 8 October 2024
Age: 24 (born 21 June 2000)
Club: Hoffenheim
Position: Right-back/ wing-back
Country: France (U21 cap)
Key stats
Hoffenheim wing-back Gendrey has been a standout in an otherwise disappointing start to the season for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side. Energetic and always looking to contribute offensively, the Frenchman has been a key outlet on the right flank. He scored his first Bundesliga goal in Hoffenheim’s 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart, helping break a four-game losing streak.
Gendrey came through the ranks at Amiens SC in his native France, breaking into a first team in the 2019/20 season that contained current Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. Gendrey went on to make 22 appearances for Amiens before joining Lecce, making the jump from the French second division to Serie A. During his time in Italy, Gendrey made 105 appearances for Lecce, with 76 of those coming in Serie A, and won the Serie B title in the 2021/22 season.
At international level Gendrey, who is of Guadeloupean descent, represents France and has so far played for their U18 and U21 teams. At the U21 European Championships in 2023, Gendrey played alongside Bundesliga trio Amine Adli, Castello Lukeba and Niels Nkounkou.
Plays a bit like: Ridle Baku
Like Wolsburg and Germany counterpart Ridle Baku, one of Gendrey’s strengths is his versatility and his ability to play as an attacking wing-back or at right-back. Both are keen to get forward, and cause opposition defences problems with their pace and ability to create space out wide.
Did you know?
Gendrey is a distant cousin of former France international Olivier Dacourt, who also played for Inter Milan and Roma. Also, in his time at Lecce, Gendrey played alongside 2018 World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti.
What they’re saying
"Valentin is a defensively reliable full-back who has internalised the aggressive Italian style of play and has gained a lot of experience in Serie A." - Hoffenheim interim sporting director Frank Kramer