Ridle Baku has developed into one of the Bundesliga's leading all-round wing-backs. - © IMAGO/Darius Simka

bundesliga

Who is Ridle Baku, RB Leipzig's latest right-back?

06.01.2025

Now in his eighth Bundesliga season, new RB Leipzig signing Ridle Baku has developed into one of the German top flight's most reliable, all-round right-backs. Here's all you need to know about the 26-year-old...

*Data correct as of 10 January 2025

Ridle Baku

Age: 26 (born 8 April 1998)
Position: Right-back/winger
Club: RB Leipzig
Country: Germany (four caps, one goal)

Key stats

Baku was about to make his 27th appearance for the Mainz reserves when he was pulled from the team bus at the 11th hour to plug a gap in the senior side for the visit of future employers Leipzig on 29 April 2018. It proved an inspired decision. Baku went on to cover more ground than any of his teammates (seven miles) and completed a team-high 21 passes, before capping off a dream Bundesliga debut by firing in Mainz's third goal. The diminutive 5'9" wide man added to his tally against Borussia Dortmund the following week, securing the win that guaranteed the 05ers' top-flight status for another campaign.

Baku has not looked back since. In his first full season, after almost single-handedly securing survival, he made 15 appearances, and then became a near ever-present in the 2019/20 campaign. His displays for the 05ers earned him a switch to Wolfsburg, where he made the right wing-back position his own.

Impressive both offensively and defensively, Baku has missed just four Bundesliga matches for the Wolves across the last four full seasons, while he has played all 15 matches in 2024/25 too. During that time, he has scored 17 league goals, while also contributing numerous assists. During the 2025 January transfer window, he completed a switch to Leipzig, putting pen to paper on a contract until the end of the 2026/27 term.

Shortly after his switch to the Volkswagen Arena, Baku made his Germany debut against the Czech Republic in November 2020 and has amassed a further three appearances at senior level - the last of which came in 2021. While his full international career has not yet fully burst into life, Baku was a key part of the U21 side that lifted the 2021 European Championship, scoring twice and providing three assists as he started all six matches.

Plays a bit like: Jeremie Frimpong

While adept defensively, Baku is full of energy and flourishes at the other end of the pitch. For example, he has registered a league-leading 478 sprints in 2024/25, 10 more than second on the list, Bayer Leverkusen's Frimpong. The two share several qualities in an era where full-backs at the highest level are expected to feature as much in the final third as in their own. Die Werkself's star has provided more tangible contributions than Baku in recent seasons, but has done so playing for one of the country's leading outfits - now playing for Leipzig, Baku has the opportunity to do the same.

Baku shares many qualities with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong. - IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

Did you know?

Baku was christened Bote Nzuzi, but is known by his nickname 'Ridle' - a misspelled tribute from his father to former Dortmund forward Karl-Heinz Riedle. He legally had his name changed to include Ridle in 2018. His twin brother Makana is also a professional footballer, having also come through the youth system at Mainz and earning youth caps for Germany - the brothers were also eligible to play for DR Congo - while currently playing in Greece for Atromitos.

What they're saying

"I found out at a motorway service station that I should get off the bus. It took me 45 minutes to work out where I was, but in the end I got there and the fans were happy, my teammates were happy, I was happy. My debut could not have gone any better." - Baku on his Bundesliga debut for Mainz

"I can learn a lot from Ridle. He's incredibly quick, has good technique and gets forward very well. He also scores a lot of goals, which is something I'd definitely like to copy from him. On top of that Ridle's also a really good guy." - Wolfsburg teammate Killian Fisher on Baku

"We are very happy that we were able to make this transfer happen, because Ridle will give us more options in the future. With this overall package, he fits in perfectly with RB Leipzig's playing philosophy . With his experience of almost 200 Bundesliga games, he won't need much time to get used to things and will be able to help us straight away." Marcel Schäfer, Leipzig sporting director