Brajan Gruda targets German World Cup spot after Bundesliga return

Brajan Gruda hopes increased playing time at RB Leipzig can help him secure a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad.

RB Leipzig made a surprising move on Deadline Day, announcing the loan signing of former Mainz attacker Brajan Gruda from Brighton & Hove Albion.

After starting just 10 games for Brighton this season, Gruda returns to the Bundesliga seeking more playing time with the hope of making Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad.

“Of course I’d love to go to the World Cup, but for that, my performances on the pitch have to be good,” Gruda acknowledged in an interview posted on RB Leipzig’s website.

“The club and the style of play suit me. The team is top, the coach is top. I feel good here. 

“I want to help the team qualify for Europe. We all want to play European football. And of course, I want to rack up plenty of minutes,” he said.

The 21-year-old could make his debut for Leipzig when Die Roten Bullen travel to face 1. FC Köln on Sunday.

“I’m 100 percent fit and feel great,” Gruda said, stressing that he’ll “give everything”, whether starting or coming off the bench.

Gruda has yet to make his debut for Germany’s senior national team, but he is an established U21 international and was even given the opportunity to train with the senior squad ahead of Euro 2024.