Leart Paqarada

Leart Shukri Paqarada (born 8 October 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for club 1. FC Heidenheim. Born in Germany, he plays for the Kosovo national team.

Club career Early career Born and raised in Germany, Paqarada joined local club Werder Bremen at the age of four. After five years, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he played at all youth levels. In November 2012, Paqarada was promoted to the club's reserve team, Bayer Leverkusen II. His debut with reserve team came on 17 November in a 3–2 away win against VfB Hüls after coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute in place of Tobias Steffen.

SV Sandhausen

In the summer of 2014, Paqarada joined 2. Bundesliga side SV Sandhausen. On 3 August 2014, he was named as a Sandhausen substitute for the first time in a league match against Darmstadt 98. His debut with Sandhausen came seven days later in a 1–1 home draw against 1. FC Kaiserslautern after being named in the starting line-up.

FC St. Pauli On 2 August 2020, Paqarada signed a three-year contract with 2. Bundesliga rivals FC St. Pauli, joining on a free transfer. On 13 September 2020, he made his debut with St. Pauli in the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal first round against SV Elversberg after being named in the starting line-up and assists in his side's first goal during a 4–2 away defeat. He established himself as a regular in the club's line-up and served as its captain during the 2022–23 season.

1. FC Köln On 23 January 2023, Paqarada signed a three-year precontract with Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln and this transfer would become legally effective in July 2023.

1. FC Heidenheim On 28 August 2025, Paqarada moved to 1. FC Heidenheim on a two-season deal.

International career Youth with Germany and Albania From 2009, until 2011, Paqarada represented Germany at youth international level, making 13 appearances for the U16 and U17 teams. In February 2013, he became part of Albania U21 side with which he made his debut in a 0–0 home draw against Macedonia U21 after being named in the starting line-up.

Kosovo First period On 4 September 2014, Paqarada received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Oman, and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up. His last international match was on 24 March 2021 against Lithuania in Pristina. On 4 April 2021, Paqarada through an Instagram post announced his temporary international retirement due to the degradation, disrespect and ignorance that according to him was done by Kosovo's head coach Bernard Challandes and the possible return to the national team would occur if a new head coach is appointed.

Second period On 16 September 2022, Paqarada upon return from retirement received a call-up from Kosovo for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Northern Ireland and Cyprus, but due to injury, could not be part of the national team. On 25 March 2023, he made his first match with Kosovo after return from retirement in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Israel after being named in the starting line-up.

Personal life Born in Aachen, Germany to Kosovo Albanian parents, Paqarada is the son of Shukri Paqarada, a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Prishtina.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Paqarada goal.

Honours 1.FC Koln 2.Bundesliga: 2024–25