PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Raum |
| Date of Birth | 22 April 1998 (Age: 28) |
| Place of Birth | Nuremberg, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Height | 1.80–1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 74–78 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Left Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #22 (RB Leipzig), #22 (Germany) |
| Current Club | RB Leipzig |
| Previous Clubs | Greuther Fürth, TSG Hoffenheim |
| International Caps | 39 |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The PreZero Arena. October 2025. Germany and Luxembourg faced off in a World Cup qualifier, and the home crowd had gathered in Sinsheim—a stadium that held special meaning for David Raum. The left-back had spent formative years of his Bundesliga career at Hoffenheim, and now he was back on familiar turf, wearing the German national team shirt.
Twelve minutes into the match, Raum won a free-kick just outside the box. He consulted briefly with Florian Wirtz, who had scored from a similar position against Northern Ireland, before stepping up confidently. He curled the ball directly into the net, breaking his international duck on his 31st cap. “I laughed just before taking it to loosen up a bit, and then it was simply about hitting the target,” he said after the match.
It was the third direct free-kick goal of 2025 for Raum, who had also scored twice from similar situations for RB Leipzig. “It’s a great feeling when it goes in, but also the reward for hard work,” he reflected. “I always stay after training to practice free-kicks, so it’s extra special when it pays off.”
Just months later, Raum’s name was confirmed in Germany’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The boy who had begun his career as a striker, reluctant to drop into defence, had become one of Germany’s most important attacking full-backs—and a player with a goal at a World Cup to his name.
Origins
David Raum was born on 22 April 1998 in Nuremberg, Germany. His football journey began at the age of four with local club Tuspo Nuremberg, before neighbouring Greuther Fürth—just six miles away—signed him a year later.
Raum started his youth career as a striker, playing as a centre-forward or on the right wing until he was 19. He scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in his final full season with Greuther Fürth’s U19s. The transition to left-back came reluctantly. “No striker wants to play in defence, but after my initial anger, I began to see how good it was and that I had the qualities to play there,” he later admitted.
By the end of the 2016-17 season, Raum was part of Greuther Fürth’s first-team squad, making five appearances from left midfield. That number grew to 20 the following campaign, and by the start of the 2019-20 season, he had become a mainstay on the left flank in Bundesliga 2.
The Professional Forge
Greuther Fürth (2016-2021):
Raum’s senior career began with his local club Greuther Fürth, where he developed from a reluctant left-midfielder into an attacking full-back. The 2020-21 season was his breakthrough—he scored just once but assisted a league-high 15 times to help Fürth earn promotion to the Bundesliga as runners-up. His performances made him one of the most sought-after players in Germany’s second tier.
TSG Hoffenheim (2021-2022):
Several Bundesliga clubs showed interest, and Raum signed with Hoffenheim ahead of the 2021-22 season. His first top-flight assist came in a 3-1 victory against Wolfsburg on matchday six. Having featured in 32 of Hoffenheim’s 34 Bundesliga matches, Raum ended the season with 11 assists and three league goals—just four players collected more assists league-wide in 2021-22. He also topped the charts for most crosses from open play, earning a move to Leipzig for his efforts.
RB Leipzig (2022-Present):
Raum initially struggled to match his Hoffenheim form with RB Leipzig, but returned to his creative best in 2023-24 with eight assists as Leipzig qualified for the Champions League once more. He won the DFL-Supercup in 2023.
In the 2025-26 season, Raum established himself as Leipzig’s captain, though he grew frustrated at the team’s inability to hold leads. After a 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund where Leipzig blew a two-goal lead, Raum told Sky Germany: “I’m really disappointed, angry and pissed off that we gave the game away again. It’s just not good enough, and not the first time. We have to be harder scumbags. Everyone has to question themselves.”
He made 30 Bundesliga appearances in the 2025-26 season, playing 2,553 minutes, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. He also featured in four DFB-Pokal matches and contributed to Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign with one goal.
The Anatomy of His Game
Raum is a left-footed left-back defined by his creative output, crossing ability, and versatility. He is widely considered one of the Bundesliga’s best left-backs.
In Possession:
Raum is an aggressive attacking player who uses his speed and strength to take on opposition full-backs. His midfield past means he is comfortable on the ball and has the vision to find teammates within tight spaces as well as with crosses. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, he created 3.35 chances per 90 minutes—the most in the league for players with significant minutes. He recorded 7 assists in 30 appearances. He is also a set-piece specialist, scoring direct free-kicks for both club and country. His three goals in the 2025-26 Bundesliga season included a penalty against Frankfurt.
Out of Possession:
Raum is a committed defender who contributes to the team’s pressing game. Former Germany manager Hansi Flick praised his “freshness and sharpness” on the left flank. His work rate is noted, and he is willing to track back—as seen in the Luxembourg match when Serge Gnabry sprinted back into his own half to support the defence.
Psychological Edge:
Raum’s journey from striker to full-back demonstrates adaptability and a willingness to learn. His frustration at Leipzig’s blown leads in 2025-26 shows a captain who demands accountability and intensity from himself and his teammates. He carries an emotional energy on the pitch that has been praised by his coaches.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Chances Created per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 30 | 2,553 | 3 | 7 | 3.35 |
| DFB-Pokal | 4 | 360 | 0 | 2 | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | 6 | 469 | 1 | 2 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 2 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 42 | 3,382+ | 4 | 11 | — |
TABLE B: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greuther Fürth | 2016-2021 | 68+ | 1+ |
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2021-2022 | 32 | 3 |
| RB Leipzig | 2022-Present | 89+ | 6+ |
| TOTAL | — | 189+ | 10+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | 3 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | — |
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 6 | 0 | Winner (2021) |
| Senior Career | 39 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Major Trophy Honours
| Competition | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1 (2021) |
| DFL-Supercup | 1 (2023) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has consistently contributed attacking output from the left-back position. His 11 assists in the 2021-22 Bundesliga season for Hoffenheim and seven assists in 2025-26 for Leipzig demonstrate his creative value. His 3.35 chances created per 90 minutes in 2025-26 placed him at the top of the Bundesliga. His 39 caps at age 28 reflect an established international career.
The Present Tense
David Raum is 28 years old and at the peak of his career. He is the captain of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and a World Cup squad member for Germany.
The Leipzig Story:
Raum joined RB Leipzig in 2022 and has become a key player and captain. He has made more than 89 Bundesliga appearances for the club. In the 2025-26 season, he led the team through a campaign of frustration, often calling for greater intensity from his teammates. He won the DFL-Supercup in 2023. His contract with Leipzig runs until 2027.
The World Cup Campaign:
Raum was named in Germany’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two appearances at the tournament. This marked his second World Cup, having previously featured in Qatar 2022. He had also been part of Germany’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad.
International Record:
Raum has earned 39 caps for the German senior national team and scored one international goal. He scored his first international goal on 10 October 2025 against Luxembourg. He previously won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2021, featuring in all of Germany’s matches, and played every minute of Germany’s campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. He made his senior debut on 5 September 2021 in a 6-0 win over Armenia.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Raum is defined by his journey from a reluctant striker to one of Germany’s most creative full-backs. He began his career dreaming of scoring goals up front, but his coaches saw a different future for him. “I played as a centre-forward or on the right wing until I was 19, but hardly played,” he admitted. “No striker wants to play in defence, but after my initial anger, I began to see how good it was.”
His first international goal was a moment of redemption. Having been capped 30 times without scoring, he sensed it was coming. “I drove to the stadium and told our physio it was time for my first goal for Germany. I just had a feeling something could happen today,” he said. The goal came from a free-kick—a set-piece he practices relentlessly. “I’ll probably watch the goal a few times this weekend,” he laughed after the match.
Raum is also a player who demands accountability. As Leipzig captain in 2025-26, he did not shy away from criticising his teammates’ performances. “Everyone has to question themselves,” he said.
The Verdict from the Camp
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany Head Coach:
Nagelsmann is expected to rely on Raum’s “emotion and energy,” qualities the coach praised after a standout performance against Luxembourg.
Hansi Flick, Former Germany Manager:
“David is particularly strong on the left. He brings a certain freshness and sharpness.”
Christopher Vivell, Former RB Leipzig Technical Director:
“David has developed brilliantly in the past two years and established himself as a regular for club and country during his first season in the Bundesliga. He’s quick, dynamic, can strike the ball and is extremely dangerous from set pieces and crosses.”
Where Next?
David Raum is 28 years old and at the peak of his career. He is the captain of RB Leipzig, one of the Bundesliga’s most creative full-backs, and a World Cup player for Germany. His contract with Leipzig runs until 2027. After the 2025-26 season, speculation emerged linking him with Borussia Dortmund, who had identified him as a key transfer target.
For Germany, Raum provides a dynamic attacking option from left-back. With 39 caps and a World Cup goal, he has established himself as a key figure in the national team setup.
From Nuremberg to Fürth, from Hoffenheim to Leipzig, and from a reluctant defensive convert to a World Cup player, David Raum’s journey is a story of adaptability, hard work, and relentless ambition. The boy who hated playing in defence is now one of the best attacking full-backs in the Bundesliga—and a player who has scored on the biggest stage of all.
