Talented new left-sided recruit | OneFootball

21-year-old Nathaniel Brown, who has moved from Nürnberg to Frankfurt, is considered to be one of the most talented left-sided defenders in Germany.

Nathaniel Brown was born in Amberg, 60 kilometres from Nuremberg, and made his way up through the various youth teams at 1. FC Nürnberg all the way into the first team, going on to make 110 appearances for the club.   Seen as one of the most talented left-sided defenders in Germany, Brown will be wearing an Eintracht jersey once the 2024/25 season comes around. His transfer was already agreed on during the winter window, but Eintracht loaned him back to 1. FCN until the end of the season just finished. The city, and in particular the Deutsche Bank Park, have already made a real impression on the speedy left-sided defender. ”Frankfurt is well known for its fans and its stadium, and I was really impressed,” said the youngster, who listens to hip-hop and rap in his free time. “I want to continue to develop here, mature as a person and work on the gaps I have in terms of my game. I’m looking forward to improving further at Eintracht, getting to know my new team-mates pretty soon and having success with the club.”

Career launched by Hecking

Brown, who has both German and US citizenship, made his first-team debut on 10 March 2023 under Dieter Hecking, who was 1. FC Nürnberg coach at the time. The defender came on for Jens Castrop in the home game against Eintracht Braunschweig, on what was Matchday 24 of Bundesliga 2.

He was only on the pitch for the last minute of time added on, but found himself in the starting line-up the following week against Arminia Bielefeld. Brown soon became a lynchpin of the defence and featured in every match until the end of the season, primarily as a starter. His career was well and truly off and running.

Pace down the left

Last season, the left-footer played a total of 32 matches in Bundesliga 2 and the DFB Cup, contributing seven assists across all competitions. One of his greatest assets is his speed, having been clocked at 35.5 km/h which made him one of the fastest players in the Nürnberg squad last season and in the top 20 in the league. “Yes, I use my speed and my intelligence to win one-on-ones,” said Brown, who is most comfortable on the left-hand side. “I’m not a ferocious tackler, but I make up for that by being clever and reasonably fast.” Those qualities have made the national set-up take notice, and Brown made his Germany U-21 debut against Ukraine in September 2023 under coach Antonio Di Salvo. He got to play alongside future Eagles team-mate Ansgar Knauff, who topped the speed gun at 36.4 km/h last season, putting him among the top three in the Bundesliga. Opposing defences take note…

“I don’t think there are many players with his kind of profile, least of all in Germany,” said Eintracht board member for sport Markus Krösche of Brown. “He fits in with our style of play, he likes to get forward and he’s a very skilled footballer.”

Hard work, tenacity, courage, passion, patience and ambition are the qualities that his team-mates have used to describe him. ”I always give 100 per cent and I’m always looking to get better and look to the future. I just give it my all every day,” said Brown, who “meets the demands of what we are looking for with the energy he brings,” according to Eintracht sporting director Timmo Hardung. “And despite his tender age, he comes across as mature both on and off the pitch.”