29 Kai Havertz

Kai Lukas Havertz was born on 11 June 1999 in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Raised in Mariadorf before moving to Aachen, he comes from a family with a strong professional background—his father, Ralf, is a policeman, and his mother, Anne, is a lawyer. His passion for football was ignited at a young age, influenced by his grandfather Richard, who was chairman of Alemannia Mariadorf.

Youth Development

Havertz began his football journey at Alemannia Mariadorf at the age of four. In 2009, he joined Alemannia Aachen’s academy, spending only a year there before Bayer Leverkusen signed him at 11. Overcoming growth-related challenges, he excelled at Leverkusen, scoring 18 goals for the U-17 team in 2016 and earning the silver U-17 Fritz Walter Medal.

Club Career

Bayer Leverkusen (2016–2020)

Breakthrough and Record-Breaking Performances

Havertz made his senior debut for Bayer Leverkusen on 15 October 2016 at 17 years and 126 days, becoming the club’s youngest-ever Bundesliga debutant. He later became the club’s youngest Bundesliga goalscorer in 2017.

• Assisted the 50,000th Bundesliga goal on 17 February 2017.
• Scored his first goal on 2 April 2017 against VfL Wolfsburg.
• Became the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances in 2018 at 18 years and 307 days.

Rise to Prominence

In the 2018–19 season, Havertz’s influence grew as he:

• Scored his first two European goals in the UEFA Europa League.
• Became Leverkusen’s youngest-ever penalty scorer.
• Scored 17 Bundesliga goals, setting a record for a teenager in a single season.
• Finished runner-up to Marco Reus for German Footballer of the Year.

By the 2019–20 season, he:

• Became the youngest player to reach 100 Bundesliga appearances.
• Netted crucial goals in the Europa League against Porto and Inter Milan.

Chelsea (2020–2023)

Big-Money Transfer and Champions League Glory

On 4 September 2020, Chelsea signed Havertz for an initial fee of £62 million, potentially rising to £71 million. He made his debut on 14 September and scored his first hat-trick against Barnsley in the EFL Cup.

His defining moment at Chelsea came on 29 May 2021 when he:

• Scored the only goal in the UEFA Champions League final, securing a 1–0 victory over Manchester City.
• Later won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, scoring the decisive goal in the latter’s final.

Over his Chelsea career, he played in various attacking roles, often deployed as a false nine. He ended his stint with Chelsea in June 2023, moving across London to join Arsenal for £65 million.

Arsenal (2023–Present)

First Season Success

Havertz made his Arsenal debut in the Community Shield win over Manchester City on 6 August 2023. Throughout his first season:

• Scored his first goal for Arsenal against Bournemouth on 30 September.
• Netted crucial match-winners against Brentford and Everton.
• Became the first German to score in four consecutive Premier League games.
• Achieved a personal best with 13 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.

2024–25 Season and Setback

Havertz equaled Robin van Persie’s record of goals in seven consecutive appearances at the Emirates Stadium in October 2024. However, in February 2025, he suffered a season-ending hamstring tear during a training session in Dubai.

International Career

Youth Level Success

Havertz represented Germany at various youth levels:

• Played in the 2016 UEFA U-17 European Championship.
• Became captain of Germany’s U-19 team, scoring four goals against Belarus in 2017.

Senior Team Achievements

Havertz made his senior debut on 9 September 2018, becoming the first player born in 1999 to represent Germany. His international highlights include:

• Scoring against Portugal and Hungary in UEFA Euro 2020.
• Scoring twice against Costa Rica in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• Playing a key role in Germany’s 5–1 win over Scotland in UEFA Euro 2024.

Playing Style and Reception

Versatile Attacker

Havertz is known for his intelligence, technical ability, and adaptability. Often compared to Mesut Özil, Michael Ballack, and Toni Kroos, he has been described as an “Alleskönner”—a player who can do everything.

• Primarily plays as an attacking midfielder or false nine.
• Noted for his ability to find space and make intelligent runs.
• Former footballer Paul Merson described him as a “Rolls-Royce footballer” for his elegance on the pitch.

Personal Life

Havertz has been in a relationship with German model Sophia Weber since 2018. The couple got engaged in July 2023 and married in July 2024.

He has cited Toni Kroos, Ronaldinho, Andrés Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane, and Kaká as his football idols.