Julian Etse signs professional contract

Eintracht Frankfurt have handed the 20-year-old defender a professional contract. Etse arrived in Frankfurt from SSV Ulm 1846 in the summer.

The 1.92 metre-tall defender underwent his footballing education at VfL Bochum from 2015 to 2018. In total he made 59 competitive appearances for VfL's U17 and U19 sides in the Bundesliga youth leagues, scoring five goals.

The centre-back moved to 3. Liga outfit Ulm in summer 2025. After four appearances in the first half of the season, Etse spent the rest of the campaign on loan at TSV Steinbach Haiger in the Regionalliga Südwest. He quickly established himself as a first-team regular for the Hesse club, featuring in 12 of a possible 14 matches. Then in summer 2026, he joined Eintracht.

The German of Ghanaian heritage has made four appearances for the Eintracht U21s so far in the current Regionalliga Südwest season. He only missed the opening game against KSV Hessen Kassel because he was taking part in the first team's pre-season training camp in Grassau. Etse also led the Eagles as captain in the meetings against SV Stuttgarter Kickers and VfR Aalen.

Sporting director Timmo Hardung said: "Julian has taken a big step forward in the last few months. With his size, his physicality and his mentality, he has exciting attributes for his position as a centre-back. By giving him a professional contract, we're now providing the foundation for Julian to continue developing at a high level. He'll continue to play an important role in our U21s and gain valuable game time there, which is vital for his development. We'll monitor him closely and give him the opportunity to work towards the level and the requirements of professional football."