LEIPZIG, Germany – In response to Benjamin Henrichs’ injury, Leipzig has secured the services of wing back Ridle Baku from Bundesliga competitor Wolfsburg.
The club announced on Friday that the 26-year-old has signed a 2½-year contract that will keep him at Leipzig until 2027. Baku is set to make his debut at home against Werder Bremen as the Bundesliga resumes following its winter hiatus this weekend.
“Ridle will provide us with greater tactical flexibility moving forward,” stated Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer. “He is versatile on the right side, excels at pushing forward, and is an adept finisher and tackler. Additionally, he is skilled in maintaining possession.”
Baku’s previous contract with Wolfsburg was due to expire at the end of the current season, leading to a transfer agreement that reportedly fell below a fee of 5 million euros (approximately $5.1 million) between the two clubs.
Originating from Mainz, Baku made his Bundesliga debut against Leipzig while playing for Mainz in 2018. He transitioned to Wolfsburg in 2020 and quickly became a key player for the team backed by Volkswagen, netting 20 goals in a total of 166 appearances.
The player made his German national team debut under coach Joachim Löw in a friendly match against the Czech Republic in November 2020. Baku subsequently appeared three additional times during World Cup qualifying in 2021, but has not received a call-up since then.
Henrichs suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right foot during Leipzig’s 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on December 20, right before the winter break. The club confirmed that he will be sidelined for an extended period.
Leipzig has had a challenging season overall, experiencing losses in all its Champions League matches while also dropping points in seven out of their 15 Bundesliga games thus far.