Admir Mehmedi is a Swiss former professional footballer known for his versatility as a forward.
He represented the Switzerland men's national football team from 2011 to 2021, making significant contributions during his tenure.
Mehmedi emigrated to Switzerland from North Macedonia at the age of two, shaping his future in football.
Biography
Early Life
Admir Mehmedi was born in 1991 in Gostivar, North Macedonia, and is of Albanian heritage. At the tender age of two, his family emigrated to Switzerland, where he would later develop his passion for football. By 2006, he had moved to Zürich, setting the stage for his future career in professional football.
Career
Mehmedi's football journey began with the youth teams of Switzerland, where he showcased his talent in various age groups, including the under-16, under-17, and under-21 teams. He made his professional debut with FC Zürich, where he quickly established himself as a formidable striker, scoring 19 goals and providing 9 assists during his tenure from 2008 to 2012. His impressive performance earned him a move to FC Dynamo Kyiv in 2012.
After a successful loan spell at SC Freiburg, where he scored 12 goals in 32 games, Mehmedi signed with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2015. He continued to make his mark in the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg from 2018 to 2022, before concluding his playing career with Antalyaspor in Turkey. Throughout his international career, Mehmedi represented Switzerland at various levels, including the senior national team, where he scored memorable goals in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro.
Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement from professional football in August 2023, Mehmedi transitioned into a management role, becoming the sporting director of FC Schaffhausen in December 2023. His brief tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the team in the Swiss Challenge League, although he parted ways with the club in May 2024 due to budget disagreements.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Zürich
Being a first team regular in 2010, Mehmedi established himself as a physical striker, excellent in the box, as well as having a good turn of pace, and he was also technically great. During his time with Zürich, Mehmedi scored nineteen goals and provided nine assists. In the January transfer window in 2012, Mehmedi moved to Dynamo Kyiv.
Freiburg
On 11 July 2013, Mehmedi moved to SC Freiburg. Freiburg's acting sporting director Klemens Hartenbach stated that he was "delighted" the transfer went through. Hartenbach stated, "He's a very versatile attacking player who understands the game and has already proven he can play at the highest level". On 26 May 2014, Freiburg decided to buy Mehmedi for a reported €6 million after having a good season, scoring 12 goals in 32 games during his loan spell with the Bundesliga side.
Bayer Leverkusen
On 11 June 2015, Mehmedi joined Bayer Leverkusen after Freiburg was relegated from the Bundesliga.
VfL Wolfsburg
On 31 January 2018, Mehmedi joined VfL Wolfsburg on a four-year deal for €8 million.
Antalyaspor and retirement
On 14 January 2022, Mehmedi signed a 2.5-year contract with Turkish club Antalyaspor. At the end of the 2022–23 season, the forward terminated his contract with the club by mutual consent; on 30 August 2023, he publicly announced his retirement from professional football, citing his desire to spend more time with his family and pursue a coaching career as the main…
Under-21
Mehmedi was a crucial member of the Swiss U-21 side in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. Mehmedi received the silver boot with three goals in the tournament and was selected in the UEFA Euro U-21 2011 Team of the Tournament.
Senior
Mehmedi was part of the Swiss team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Mehmedi made his debut for the Swiss national team against England in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match, coming on as a substitute. Mehmedi scored his first goal for Switzerland in his side's 5–3 win over Germany. The Swiss national side had not beaten the Germans since 1956. On 15 June 2014, he replaced Valentin Stocker at half time in Switzerland's opening 2014 FIFA World Cup match against Ecuador. Two minutes later, he headed in Ricardo Rodríguez's corner to equalise as Switzerland eventually won 2–1. Two years to the day after he scored in the 2014 World Cup against Ecuador, Mehmedi scored Switzerland's equaliser in their 1–1 group-stage draw against Romania in UEFA Euro 2016. Following his participation in Switzerland's UEFA Euro 2020 campaign, in which they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, Mehmedi officially announced his retirement from the national side on 16 July 2021.
Just three months after retiring as an active footballer, he joined FC Schaffhausen as their new sporting director on 5 December 2023. His mission to secure the team's place in the Swiss Challenge League was successful. Despite this, he requested a mutual termination of his contract on 27 May 2024, just six months after his appointment, as he could not agree with the board's proposed budget reductions.
- Club
- Switzerland men's national football team (2011–2021)
- Club
- FC Winterthur
- Club
- FC Zürich (2008–2012)
- Club
- FC Dynamo Kyiv (2012–2014)
- Club
- SC Freiburg (2013–2014)
- Club
- SC Freiburg (2014–2015)
- Club
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2015–2018)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-17 association football team (2007–2008)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-16 association football team (2006–2006)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-21 football team (2010–2011)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-23 football team (2012–2012)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-19 association football team (2008–2010)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-20 association football team (2010–2010)
- Club
- VfL Wolfsburg (2018–2022)
- Club
- Antalyaspor (2022–2023)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Switzerland
Personal
Mehmedi was born in Gostivar, North Macedonia. He is of Albanian heritage. At the age of 2, his family emigrated to Switzerland. In 2006, he moved to Zürich.
Clubs
- FC Winterthurcurrent
- Switzerland national under-16 association football team2006–2006
- Switzerland national under-17 association football team2007–2008
- FC Zürich2008–2012
- Switzerland national under-19 association football team2008–2010
- Switzerland national under-20 association football team2010–2010
- Switzerland national under-21 football team2010–2011
- Switzerland men's national football team2011–2021
- FC Dynamo Kyiv2012–2014
- Switzerland national under-23 football team2012–2012
- SC Freiburg2013–2014
- SC Freiburg2014–2015
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen2015–2018
- VfL Wolfsburg2018–2022
- Antalyaspor2022–2023
Played together with
Aaron HuntVfL Wolfsburg · 2014–2015
Aaron MokoenaBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–1999
Abdülkadir ÖmürAntalyaspor · 2025–2026
Abedi PeleFC Zürich · 1983–1984
Adam BuksaAntalyaspor · 2023–2024
Adam HložekBayer 04 Leverkusen · 2022–2024
Adam MatysekBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–2001- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoVfL Wolfsburg · 2005–2006
- Adel SellimiSC Freiburg · 1999–2002
Adrian IlieFC Zürich · 2004–2005
Aggelos CharisteasBayer 04 Leverkusen · 2009–2009
Akhrik TsveibaFC Dynamo Kyiv · 1990–1993
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Admir Mehmedi is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a second striker or centre forward. Born in North Macedonia, Mehmedi represented the Switzerland national team. He was most recently the sporting director of FC Schaffhausen.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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