Who is Diant Ramaj? | OneFootball

Diant Ramaj: Who is Borussia Dortmund's new goalkeeper?

Statistics correct as of 3 February 2025

Diant RamajAge: 23 (born 19 September, 2001)Club: Borussia DortmundPosition: GoalkeeperCountry: Germany (three U20 caps)

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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 in the then Bundesliga 2 club's U-19 side. In summer 2021, Frankfurt were attracted by the potential of the 6'1" stopper, who signed a three-year deal with them. "We’re certain that Diant can take his next steps at a higher level with us,” said the club's goalkeeping coach Jan Zimmermann.

Ramaj has played for Germany at U20 level (Quality Sport Images)

That step came when - having sat on the bench for the opening 18 Matchdays of the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign - Ramaj was given his senior debut by then coach Oliver Glasner after first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp came down with Covid-19. A late one-on-one save earned his side a point in a 1-1 draw at Augsburg, prompting Zimmermann to state proudly, "You never would have thought that it was his Bundesliga debut".

But just as Ramaj looked to be gaining momentum, a knee injury that required surgery laid him low for the remainder of the season. That blow was softened by - having been on the bench early in the Europa League campaign - he earned a winner's medal following the Eagles' victory over Rangers, while the club got him to sign a three-year contract extension through to 2027.

He remained second-choice to Trapp - making a single Bundesliga appearance in 2022/23, too - before joining Ajax where he featured in the Europa League and the UEFA Conference League and became first-choice during the 2023/24 season. An elbow injury knocked him back down the pecking order, and as back-up to the veteran Remco Pasveer, 41, Ramaj made just one Eredivisie appearance in the 2024/25 season before joining Dortmund in February 2025 and being loaned out to Copenhagen for the rest of the season.

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."

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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." - Ajax coach John Van't Schip following one of Ramaj's Eredivisie performances

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