From Struga to the Premier League: Ditmir Hodzha joins Leeds United

Leeds United announced the signing of Ditmir Hodzha, a forward from Struga, in a move that marks the first direct transfer of a Macedonian player to an English club. The 18-year-old signed a four-year contract with the West Yorkshire side and will initially join the club's youth setup.

Hodzha completed medical examinations and has already begun training with Leeds' youth team. The deal was arranged by his agents Alban Sulejmani and Deni Bara and came only ten days after the striker turned 18.

Last season Hodzha played for Rabotnicki, where opportunities were limited, but he showed his scoring ability when selected: in 19 appearances (roughly 550 minutes) he recorded 4+2 goals across league and cup competitions while still 17 years old. Earlier in his youth career he had been at Voska.

Path to England and contract details

The contract runs for four years and includes appearance-related bonuses for first-team matches. The transfer is reported to have financial benefits for Rabotnicki, reflecting the year Hodzha spent at the club, and the move was completed while he was a free agent, respecting obligations to his previous team.

Leeds plan for Hodzha to adapt gradually: "He will start with Leeds' youth team because the seniors are already starting their Premier League fixtures. We are aware that Hodzha will need some time to adapt to life and the new training process, but we all firmly believe that he will quickly join the first team," said Alban Sulejmani, the player's manager. Hodzha is a member of North Macedonia's under-19 national team.

For Hodzha, the transfer represents a major step from domestic football to one of Europe's top leagues, following in the path of Macedonian players who previously found success abroad.

Photo: press material from the event