- Eintracht Frankfurt have completed the signing of Lilian Brassier from Rennes, with the 26-year-old defender agreeing a contract through 2031
- On Saturday, Eintracht drew 3-3 away to Union Berlin after Younes Ebnoutalib’s hat-trick had put Adi Hütter’s side 3-1 ahead
- A basic agreement has been reached with Fulham for Hugo Larsson in a package worth up to €25m, while Frankfurt are also assessing a possible return for Joselu
Frankfurt Add Brassier After Defensive Warning Signs
Eintracht Frankfurt have strengthened their back line by officially signing French defender Lilian Brassier from Stade Rennes. The 26-year-old left-footed centre-back has committed to a long-term deal running through 2031, giving Adi Hütter another senior defensive option after a troubled start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.
Eintracht Frankfurt will pay Rennes an initial €8.5m, with add-ons potentially increasing the overall cost. Kicker places the total valuation of the transfer at approximately €10m.
The deal had been moving towards completion for several days, although talks with Rennes took longer than the German club had initially hoped. That delay meant the defender could not be registered in time for the opening Bundesliga weekend.
Eintracht Frankfurt verpflichtet Lilian Brassier 🦅
Der 26-jährige Verteidiger wechselt vom Stade Rennais Football Club nach Frankfurt, wo er einen Vertrag bis 2031 unterschreibt.
Mehr Infos hier: https://t.co/MTDixrqy5q#SGE pic.twitter.com/AAbcScvH3u
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) August 31, 2026
Union Berlin Draw Underlines Need For Stability
Brassier’s arrival follows another uncomfortable defensive display from Frankfurt, who opened their 2026/27 Bundesliga season with a 3-3 draw away at Union Berlin on Saturday. Younes Ebnoutalib scored a hat-trick and appeared to have guided Hütter’s side into a commanding position at 3-1, but Frankfurt were unable to hold their two-goal advantage.
All three Union Berlin goals came from set-piece situations, while Frankfurt increasingly found it difficult to cope with the hosts’ direct pressure as the match developed.
How Brassier Fits The Back Four
Brassier joins after Arthur Theate’s move to Bologna and looks set to become the Belgian’s natural replacement on the left side of defence. Both players are left-footed and capable of playing centrally or covering the left flank, though Brassier offers a different physical profile.
The expectation is that Brassier will compete for the left centre-back role alongside captain Robin Koch in Hütter’s preferred back four. He may also initially be used at left-back in place of Bundesliga debutant Keita Kosugi, whose first start was described as questionable.
Frankfurt are signing a defender with considerable experience in French football. Brassier came through Rennes’ academy and has already made 161 Ligue 1 appearances despite being only 26. He spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Valenciennes before joining Brest, where he became a regular and made 108 competitive appearances for the Breton club.
A later spell with Marseille brought him another 12 appearances before he returned to Rennes in January 2025. Back at his formative club, Brassier quickly regained a role in the side, making 27 league appearances last season as Rennes finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League. He leaves Rennes with 41 senior competitive appearances for the club that developed him. The move to Frankfurt will be his first club experience outside France.
SGE Board Member for Sport Markus Krösche highlighted the attributes Frankfurt believe Brassier will bring to the squad.
“With Lilian Brassier, we have been able to sign a physically strong and fast defender who contests duels with great intensity while also possessing significant dynamism,” Krösche said. “We are convinced that Lilian will provide our defense with additional stability and quality.”
Joselu Considered As Attacking Plans Shift
Eintracht are also reassessing their attacking options and are reportedly considering a surprise reunion with former striker Joselu. The Bundesliga club have been in contact with the 36-year-old for several days and are exploring whether to bring him back.
Joselu is available on a free transfer after his contract with Qatari side Al-Gharafa expired at the end of June. Union Berlin are also said to be interested, while Lazio, Valencia and Sevilla are among the other potential destinations for the veteran forward. FT reports that Valencia and Sevilla have already made offers. Frankfurt had not submitted a concrete proposal at the time of the latest update.
Doan Collapse And Kalimuendo Cost Shape The Market
Eintracht want to add another attacker before the transfer window closes. A second loan spell for Arnaud Kalimuendo had been one option after the French forward spent the second half of last season in Frankfurt, but Nottingham Forest are now reportedly asking for more than €30m for the 24-year-old.
That level of spending would represent a club-record investment for Eintracht and appears harder to finance after the anticipated sale of Ritsu Doan to Saudi Arabia collapsed at the last minute. Joselu, who would not require a transfer fee as a free agent, therefore represents a very different type of solution.
The Stuttgart-born Spanish international already has Bundesliga experience. Frankfurt signed him on loan from Hoffenheim for the 2013/14 campaign, when he was 23. During that spell, he recorded 14 goals and three assists in 33 competitive appearances for the RheinMainAdler. He later played for Hannover 96 before his career took him to Stoke City, Newcastle United, Espanyol and Real Madrid.
Joselu’s most successful club season came in 2023/24 with Real Madrid, where he helped the club win both La Liga and the Champions League before moving to Al-Gharafa. He was also part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024. Across his time with Hoffenheim, Frankfurt and Hannover, he has made 79 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists.
At 36, Joselu would be viewed as a short-term option rather than a major long-term investment in Frankfurt’s attack.
Larsson’s Fulham Move
One outgoing deal now appears advanced. A basic agreement has been reached with Eintracht Frankfurt over Hugo Larsson’s move to Fulham. Final details between the clubs are still being clarified, but Larsson has already received the green light to travel for his medical. The package is worth up to €25m.
Fulham wanted Larsson and had been negotiating directly with him, as exclusively revealed this week. Larsson had already been in London for talks.
