Background and career
Florian Richard Wirtz (born 3 May 2003) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Germany national team.
Wirtz rose through the youth system at 1. FC Köln before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. He made his first team debut at the age of 17, becoming the youngest scorer in Bundesliga history. He played a pivotal role in Leverkusen's unbeaten domestic double in the 2023–24 season, earning Bundesliga Player of the Season honours and recording 18 goals in 49 appearances. In June 2025, Wirtz joined Liverpool for approximately £100 million plus bonuses, setting a then club-record fee and a new Premier League transfer record.
Internationally, Wirtz debuted for Germany in September 2021 after representing the country at various youth levels. He later became the youngest ever goalscorer for Germany in the history of the European Championships after he scored a goal against Scotland at UEFA Euro 2024. He also represented Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Regarded as a big talent in German football, Wirtz joined the youth team of 1. FC Köln in 2010, where he remained until he was signed by Bayer Leverkusen in January 2020. His transfer to Leverkusen was controversial, as Köln felt that Leverkusen violated a gentleman's agreement between the two clubs in signing Wirtz.
After impressing for the under-17 team, Wirtz made his senior professional debut for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on 18 May 2020, starting in an away match against Werder Bremen. In doing so, he overtook Kai Havertz as Leverkusen's youngest player in the league, at the age of 17 years and 15 days. On 6 June, Wirtz scored his first goal for Leverkusen in the 89th minute of their 4–2 home loss against Bayern Munich, making Wirtz the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history at the age of 17 years and 34 days. This record would later be surpassed by Youssoufa Moukoko less than a year later, aged 16 years and 28 days. On 22 October, he scored his first goal in European competitions in a 6–2 win over Nice during the 2020–21 Europa League.
How Florian Wirtz makes money
Liverpool On 20 June 2025, Wirtz joined Premier League club Liverpool on a long-term contract for a reported fee of depending on the source £100 million (€117.5 million) or £107 million (€125 million), with £16 million (€18.8 million) or €25 million in bonuses.
