Ebnoutalib on “rollercoaster” road to signing for childhood club Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s new winter signing gave an insight into his path towards joining his boyhood club.

“I had to hold back the tears earlier,” said Younes Ebnoutalib shortly after signing his contract with Eintracht Frankfurt until 2031 which was completed on Monday.

In an in-house interview with Frankfurt’s social media cameras, Ebnoutalib described himself as a striker who “works hard, runs with a lot of heart for the team, and can score goals.” 

However the road back to the Hessen club and his native Frankfurt hasn’t been an easy one – the 22-year-old had to reignite his career in the Regionalliga Südwest.

“I was coming back from a long injury. Things weren’t going so well in Perugia; it was mentally difficult for me. In Gießen, I finally got back on my feet.

“It wasn’t a straight upward climb, it was a rollercoaster. But everyone believed in me and I tried to give my best back – to perform, to score goals,” he explained.

Ebnoutalib isn’t only gifted in football terms but a martial arts background which he believes helps him on the pitch today – he practiced regularly as a child with his siblings and father.

“That [taekwondo] still helps me athletically today. I still feel the muscles in my leg, the energy and strength. I can get my leg very, very high,” said the Moroccan. 

Now as an Frankfurt player, Ebnoutalib will get his first taste of football with his home club on the training pitch and could make a January 9th debut against Borussia Dortmund.

“I think there might be tears at my debut,” said Ebnoutalib looking forward the Bundesliga’s return and the Friday clash. He then labels it “a childhood dream” coming through.