Joane Gadou, former PSG academy defender thriving at Dortmund and into France Under-21s | OneFootball

Joane Gadou has earned a first France Under-21 call-up after a strong start at Dortmund, following two full years at Salzburg. The centre-back is set to face Estonia on Tuesday at 18:00 in Euro 2027 qualifying.

According to L'Équipe, the 19-year-old, standing at one metre 95, cuts an imposing figure alongside Nico Schlotterbeck, one metre 91, and Waldemar Anton, one metre 89, in Borussia’s back three. He chased down a Stuttgart break with a 30-metre sprint clocked at 36.03 km/h in a 0-1 on 19 September, the Bundesliga’s second-fastest top speed this season behind Mainz winger Sheraldo Becker at 36.58 km/h.

Gadou left PSG’s academy for RB Salzburg in summer 2024 at 17 and hails from Aubervilliers. He has already topped 60 senior appearances, featured in the Europa League and the Club World Cup, and moved for €20m, excluding bonuses, this summer.

Thomas Letsch, a former developer of Dayot Upamecano who coached Gadou from January 2025 to February 2026, saw a major talent who needed to play. He noted similarities with Upamecano, highlighting speed, strength in duels, occasional youthful judgement errors and an eagerness to listen.

Under the German coach Gadou banked valuable minutes, a priority that France Under-21 manager Gérald Baticle also underlines. Baticle regards him as one of the squad’s 2007-borns alongside Sassuolo’s Darryl Bakola and praises his line-breaking passing, ball-carrying and measured audacity.

With injuries to Emre Can and Ramy Bensebaini and strong competition around him, Gadou has started every Bundesliga game for leaders Borussia, who have four wins, and he started the 3-2 against Villarreal in the Champions League on 8 September. He has impressed again, and not solely through his frame.

Source: L'Équipe

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