Nathaniel Brown: Who is Eintracht Frankfurt's German-American defender?
Nathaniel Brown's impressive displays for Eintracht Frankfurt have been rewarded with the Bundesliga's November Rookie of the Month award. bundesliga.com profiles the up-and-coming Germany youth international with American roots...
Stats correct as of 13 December 2024
Age: 20 (born 16 June 2003)
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Position: Full-back, central midfield
Country: Germany (four U21 caps)/ USA (uncapped)
Key stats
Brown signed for 2021/22 UEFA Europa League winners Frankfurt in January 2024, before being loaned back to Nuremberg for the remainder of the season. The 5'10" left-footer started all but seven of Der Club's Bundesliga 2 assignments in the 2023/24 season, as well as a further three during their run to the DFB Cup last 16.
Brown produced seven assists in 2023/24, adding to his two goal involvements across 11 games the previous campaign. The now Germany U21 international - who has been on the Nuremberg books since the age of 13 - also ranked as the club's fastest player last season, having been clocked doing 22.05 mph (35.5 km/h).
Having earned a run-out as a substitute against Union Berlin, Brown marked his full Bundesliga debut with a goal in Frankfurt's 7-2 demolition of Bochum on Matchday 9 of 2024/25. The German-American scored again the following week in Stuttgart, and tallied a brace of assists against Heidenheim on only his fourth top-flight start. Those peformances helped him claim the Rookie of the Month award for November 2024.
Watch: Nathaniel Brown crowned November Rookie of the Month
Plays a bit like: João Cancelo
Versatility is one of Brown's strong suits. His preferred role is at left-back, but he can also operate on the opposite flank as an inverted full-back, and has even played in central midfield. Given his ability to marry defensive and attacking qualities in a variety of positions, former Bayern Munich man Cancelo is a fair, albeit naturally right-footed, reference point.
Did you know?
Brown's father is American, opening the door to the Frankfurt-owned defender representing the Stars and Stripes at senior international level. It's a path taken by contemporary Deutschamerikaner (German-Americans) Timothy Chandler - who also moved to Frankfurt via a breakout spell at Nuremberg - and Hoffenheim's John Brooks, as well as ex-Bundesliga players such as Fabian Johnson and Jermaine Jones.
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What they're saying
"Nene Brown has been playing brilliantly for weeks. He's taken his chance in impressive style." - Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller after the Heidenheim game in November 2024
"Nathaniel is a very talented and dynamic player who, despite his young age, gives off a very mature impression on and off the pitch. He fits our desired profile perfectly, and we're delighted he's joining us next season." - Frankfurt sporting director Timmo Hardung
"Nathaniel's versatility is a real asset. He's also very measured in the tackle, he doesn't overcommit." - former Nuremberg head coach Cristián Fiel
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