Experienced goalkeeper from our region: introducing Janis Blaswich

From Mönchengladbach to the Netherlands via loan spells

Born in Willich on the Lower Rhine, 60 kilometres from Leverkusen, Janis Blaswich joined the Borussia Mönchengladbach youth set-up at the age of 15. Three years later, in 2009, he made his debut for the Foals' reserves against the Bayer 04 reserves. Blaswich then stayed with Borussia M'gladbach II for a further four years before going out on loan to Dynamo Dresden (2015/16) and Hansa Rostock (2017/18) - and becoming a first-choice player at each of the third division clubs. Blaswich's performances helped Dresden to clinch the third division championship and promotion to Bundesliga 2.

He finally left Borussia Mönchengladbach for good in the 2018/19 season and moved abroad for the first time to Heracles Almelo. The 1.93 metre tall goalkeeper stayed in the Netherlands for four years, making more than 100 appearances in the Eredivisie during that period.

DFB Cup victory with RB Leipzig - Four call-ups to the Germany squad

Blaswich returned to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2022 and joined RB Leipzig. Initially pencilled in as number two, he made a total of 64 competitive appearances for the Saxons, including a 2-0 win in the 2022/23 DFB Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt. He followed that up by also lifting the Supercup.

It was also during the spell at RB that national coach Julian Nagelsmann handed him his first call-up to the DFB squad, and Blaswich was part of the German national team for a total of four internationals.

Loan to Salzburg - temporary captaincy

Last season, Leverkusen's new signing played on loan at Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg. There, the 34-year-old was immediately appointed captain and led the team out in the first nine league games as well as in four Champions League matches. Blaswich missed out on playing against Bayer 04, but subsequently returned to action against Real Madrid, among other sides.

After various stints in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, Blaswich is now looking forward to "playing for the most high-calibre club in my home region and one of the best clubs in Germany. I'm absolutely thrilled about what lies ahead."