Image source: bbc.com
Younes Ebnoutalib has completed a £6.9 million move to Eintracht Frankfurt from second-tier Elversberg after scoring 12 goals in 17 games before Christmas. The 22-year-old striker’s transfer caps a remarkable rise from playing in Germany’s fourth tier just a year ago to joining his hometown club in the Bundesliga.
Frankfurt Complete £6.9m Signing of Striker Ebnoutalib From Second-Tier Elversberg
The Frankfurt-born forward has been one of the breakout stars in German football this season, with his prolific form for second-tier high-fliers Elversberg earning him the move to his hometown club in late December. Ebnoutalib has been given the number 11 shirt previously worn by Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who left Frankfurt for £59 million last year.
At his official unveiling last Tuesday, Ebnoutalib described playing for Eintracht as “a dream come true” and revealed he has moved back into his family home. “To play in my hometown, and at such a big club, it was difficult to turn that down,” the striker said. He played down comparisons with Ekitike, stating he is “just trying to do my best and learn as much as I can.”
Ebnoutalib’s journey to the top flight has been unconventional, including a difficult spell at Italian Serie C side AC Perugia from 2022 to 2023 where he made only one league appearance. He recalled being “shouted off the training pitch” by a coach during his first senior session as an 18-year-old. “In footballing terms it was the wrong decision for me to go to Italy, but without that experience, I don’t think I would be where I am today,” he reflected.
The striker’s career was revitalized when former Frankfurt player Daniyel Cimen gave him a chance at fourth-tier FC Giessen in July 2024. Cimen, who coached Ebnoutalib at Giessen, believes the sky is the limit for his former player. “Younes is tall, he’s athletic and he’s got a great finish with both feet,” Cimen told BBC Sport. “If he improves just a few things in his game, then I don’t see any limits to his potential.”
Ebnoutalib could make his Bundesliga debut when Frankfurt host Borussia Dortmund on Friday, with the club currently short on attacking options. First-choice striker Jonathan Burkardt is out with a calf injury while French forward Elye Wahi has been loaned to Nice. Frankfurt have earned £128 million from the sales of Omar Marmoush and Ekitike last year, establishing themselves as a finishing school for world-class strikers.
