German · Aachen, Germany · Born 11 June 1999Elegant German forward who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea before becoming a key player at Arsenal.
Kai Havertz was born on 11 June 1999 in Aachen, Germany, and progressed through the youth academy of Bayer Leverkusen, making his Bundesliga debut in 2016 at just 17 years old. He quickly established himself as one of the most gifted young attacking players in German football, combining exceptional technical quality with tactical versatility across multiple forward and midfield positions. Havertz's standout performances for Leverkusen attracted interest from across Europe's biggest clubs, and Chelsea signed him in 2020 for a club-record fee. His time in England began under difficult circumstances, including a bout of COVID-19 in his early weeks, but he delivered the signature moment of his Chelsea career in the 2021 Champions League final, scoring the only goal as Chelsea beat Manchester City to win the competition. After four seasons in which his form fluctuated between spells of quality and periods of criticism from supporters, Havertz moved to Arsenal in 2023, where a change of role — deployed more centrally as a focal point of attack — helped reinvigorate his career and form a key part of the club's resurgence under manager Mikel Arteta. Havertz has earned over 50 caps for Germany, representing his country at the 2020 European Championship, the 2022 World Cup, and Euro 2024, and remains regarded as one of the most technically gifted, if occasionally inconsistent, attacking players of his generation.
Scoring winning goal in 2021 Champions League final
He scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, Chelsea's second-ever Champions League triumph, at just 21 years old.
Did You Know?How They Played
Versatile attacking midfielder with excellent technical ability and aerial presence
Lasting Impact
Havertz represents the modern generation of German football talent, combining traditional technical skills with contemporary versatility and tactical intelligence.
Career Honours
- Champions League 2021
- Club World Cup 2022
- UEFA Super Cup 2021
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2016–2020 | — | 118 | 36 |
| Chelsea | 2020–2023 | £71m | 91 | 19 |
| Arsenal | 2023–Present | — | 72 | 24 |
 Germany | — | — | 50 | 18 |
German Athletes