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Early Life & Background

• Full name: Forzan Assan Ouédraogo (Wikipedia)
• Date of birth: 9 May 2006 (Wikipedia)
• Place of birth: Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany (Wikipedia)
• Heritage: His parents are from Burkina Faso. (Wikipedia)
• Family ties: His father, Alassane Ouédraogo, is a former Burkina Faso international. (Wikipedia)

Youth Career & Early Club Career

1. Youth Beginnings:
   • Ouédraogo started his footballing journey at TuS Union 09 Mülheim (2011–2014). (Wikipedia)
   • In 2014, he joined the youth academy of Schalke 04, where he spent many formative years. (Goal)
2. Schalke Breakthrough:
   • He progressed through Schalke’s youth ranks and was promoted to their first team for the 2023/24 season. (africasoccer.com)
   • Made his professional debut for Schalke’s senior team in the 2. Bundesliga. (Goal)
   • At just 17 years and 80 days old, he scored in his debut match, breaking club records and becoming Schalke’s youngest-ever goalscorer. (Goal)
   • However, his early progress wasn’t without setbacks: he suffered a ligament injury that sidelined him for a few months. (africasoccer.com)

Move to RB Leipzig

• In mid-2024, Ouédraogo transferred to RB Leipzig. (africasoccer.com)
• He signed a contract that runs for several years, showing Leipzig’s belief in his potential. (africasoccer.com)
• With Leipzig, he has continued to grow, making Bundesliga appearances. (Wikipedia)

International Career

• Youth Levels: Ouédraogo has represented Germany across various youth levels — U16, U17, U19, and U20. (Wikipedia)
• European U17 Championship: He played a key role in Germany’s U17 European Championship campaign. (Goal)
• Senior Debut:
  • In November 2025, he earned his first call-up to the Germany senior national team. (Wikipedia)
  • Made his debut on 17 November 2025 and scored just 102 seconds after coming on, in a 6–0 win over Slovakia. (Wikipedia)

Playing Style & Strengths

• Position: Primarily a midfielder — he is very versatile, capable of playing as a box-to-box midfielder, defensive midfield, or more advanced roles. (Wikipedia)
• Physical Attributes: At 1.91 m tall, he has a strong physical presence. (Wikipedia)
• Technical Qualities:
  • Good with both feet. (Wikipedia)
  • Excellent dribbling, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. (Wikipedia)
  • Has strong ball-carrying skills — can drive forward with the ball. (Wikipedia)
• Playing Comparisons: He has been likened to players such as Paul Pogba, Ryan Gravenberch, and Khépren Thuram, given his mix of physicality, technique, and dynamism. (Wikipedia)

Achievements & Milestones

• Schalke Record: As mentioned, he became Schalke’s youngest ever goal scorer in a professional match. (Goal)
• UEFA U17 European Championship Winner: He contributed to Germany’s triumph. (Goal)
• Senior National Team Scorer: Scored on his senior Germany debut in a World Cup qualifier. (Wikipedia)

Challenges & Injuries

• He has faced injury setbacks, including a knee issue. (Bundesliga)
• RB Leipzig sport director has publicly expressed concern over how injuries have interrupted his “breakout” trajectory. (Bundesliga)

Reputation & Future Potential

• Ouédraogo is widely regarded as one of Germany’s brightest midfield prospects. (Goal)
• His move to Leipzig is seen by many as a deliberate step to accelerate his development, rather than being stuck in a reserve setup. (2025/2026 Mabumbe)
• Clubs across Europe are reportedly very interested in him, thanks to his combination of height, skill, and intelligence. (Goal)