Brentford Pursues Jannik Schuster from Red Bull Salzburg

Brentford worked to sign Jannik Schuster from Red Bull Salzburg in a deal worth €20 million (£17.2 million). The 19-year-old centre-back established himself as a first-team regular at the Austrian club during the season, making 26 appearances, and he is a regular for Austria’s under-21 side. Schuster joined Austrian second-division side FC Liefering—RB Salzburg’s feeder team—in 2023, where he made 39 appearances over three seasons before returning to RB Salzburg last summer.

The defender was a cooperation player, which, under Austrian Football Association (OFB) rules, ensured he could play for both Liefering and Salzburg’s youth teams in the same season to maximize his development. Schuster featured four times in the Europa League this season, including starting Salzburg’s 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa in January.

Brentford ranked seventh in the Premier League table with three games remaining and hoped to qualify for European competition for the first time in the club’s history.

A Signing for Brentford’s Future

Analysis by Jay Harris

Brentford appeared well-stocked with right-footed centre-backs, suggesting that Schuster was being signed with one eye on the future. Captain Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg had started 29 games this season. They were both right-footed, but Collins usually started as the left-side centre-back. Norway international Kristoffer Ajer provided backup to the pair.

Ethan Pinnock was the only naturally left-footed centre-back, yet his game time reduced significantly this season. The 32-year-old Jamaica international made only four appearances and had a year left on his contract. Schuster’s experience playing as both a left and right-sided centre-back appealed to Brentford, especially as they aimed to grow their squad in anticipation of competing in a European competition next season.

Brentford looked to add to their roster, hoping that Schuster would follow in the footsteps of other talented players developed in Salzburg’s academy, such as Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer. Schuster has taken a different path than his brother, Jonas, and father, Werner, who are both professional ski-jumpers.