Eintracht Frankfurt signs defender Julian Etse to a professional contract

Eintracht Frankfurt has signed 20-year-old defender Julian Etse to his first professional contract. The 1.92-meter-tall center-back joined the Bundesliga club this summer after previously competing for 3. Liga side SSV Ulm 1846. Etse gained experience in the Regionalliga Südwest during a loan spell at TSV Steinbach Haiger last season, where he appeared in 12 matches. Since joining Eintracht, he has played four matches for the U21 squad and served as team captain in two of those fixtures. Sporting director Timmo Hardung stated the club intends to monitor the defender's development closely while he continues to accumulate playing time with the U21 team. The contract serves as a foundational step to prepare the German-Ghanaian defender for the requirements of professional football at the highest level.

• 11:05 AMYahoo Sports — Julian Etse signs professional contract