🧠 Early Development & Rise at Reims
- Born on 20 June 2002 in Reims, France, to a Cameroonian father and French mother. He started football at Cormontreuil FC and later joined Stade de Reims’ academy in 2013 (Wikipedia).
- Progressed rapidly: scored 6 goals in 15 appearances for Reims B and made senior debut in October 2020 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia).
- Loaned to Vejle Boldklub in Denmark in early 2021, where he scored 3 goals in 11 matches (Wikipedia).
🚀 Breakthrough at Reims & Move to PSG
- Returned to Reims for the 2021/22 season and netted around 10 league goals, drawing interest from clubs including Newcastle and PSG (Wikipedia).
- Loaned to Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2022, with the deal including a mandatory purchase clause. He won Ligue 1 titles and appeared in UEFA Champions League action (Wikipedia).
- PSG made the move permanent in 2023, but Ekitike struggled for game time—making just 1 appearance after the permanent switch (Wikipedia).
🔄 Revival at Eintracht Frankfurt
- Loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt in February 2024; the move was made permanent in April 2024.
- In the 2024–25 season, he scored 15 goals in 33 Bundesliga games, earning a World Young Player of the Season inclusion in Bundesliga Team of the Season. Frankfurt qualified for the Champions League (Wikipedia).
⚽ Playing Style & Strengths
- At 1.90 m tall, Ekitike combines physical presence with pace. Observers liken his style to a blend of Mbappé and Neymar, praising his acceleration and grace (This Is Anfield).
- Known for effective link-up play, dropping deep to link the midfield and attack; high finishing quality—often outperforming expected goals (xG) in previous seasons (World Football Index).
- Criticisms include occasional inconsistency: his dribbling can be unrefined, and pressing metrics are average in high-intensity systems (World Football Index).
💰 Transfer Interest & Move to Liverpool
- By mid-2025, clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool were all linked to Ekitike. Reports placed his estimated transfer value around £80–100 million (€85–100m) (Football Transfers).
- In July 2025, Liverpool agreed a deal worth £79 million (€91m), including add-ons. Ekitike underwent a medical and was expected to join the squad on their pre-season tour in Asia (Sky Sports).
📌 Career Snapshot
| Period | Club | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2020 | Reims Academy | Youth standout; pro contract in 2020 |
| 2020–2023 | Reims / Vejle (loan) | Broke into first team; strong Ligue 1 performance |
| 2022–2023 | PSG (loan & permanent) | Won Ligue 1 titles; struggled for playing time |
| 2024–2025 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 15 goals; Bundesliga Team of the Season selection |
| July 2025 | Liverpool | £79m transfer; set to join pre‑season tour |
✅ Why the Hype?
- A proven goalscorer in Germany who impressed with consistency after a tough spell at PSG.
- Offers a different dimension upfront: height, speed, and drop‑deep movement.
- Seen as a long‑term investment likely to adapt well to Premier League demands (This Is Anfield, Wikipedia, TEAMtalk, Sky Sports).
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into his stats, playing videos, or potential at Liverpool!
