Julian Brandt shines at Ajax – but is that enough for the former BVB star?
After his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired, it was unclear for a long time where Julian Brandt would go. The midfield star eventually chose the surprising move to Ajax Amsterdam and has already completed twelve competitive matches in just over two and a half months, eight of them in the Eredivisie, in which he scored four goals.
Unclear Future after the BVB
After seven years at the BVB, Brandt faced the decision of which club to choose for the coming years. While in the months following the contract‑expiry decision several top clubs, including Atletico Madrid, showed interest, the final choice remained uncertain.
The departure from Borussia Dortmund came after a long spell in which Brandt was regarded as a midfield star. His time at the BVB was marked by regular appearances and significant contributions, but a new contract was not offered.
Decision for Ajax
Brandt was enthused by the project of the Dutch top club and signed with the former team of Johan Cruyff. The move was described as surprising because Ajax is not typically among the targets of German top players.
Since his arrival, Brandt was initially introduced slowly, but already in August he started with great optimism. By September he was already considered a key player, although some voices, such as Rafael van der Vaart, remained cautious.
First Successes in Amsterdam
In the Eredivisie, Brandt played roughly three quarters of the possible minutes and was involved in almost one fifth of his team's goals. With four goals in eight appearances, his scoring rate is one goal every two games.
At the international level, he also added two goals in four Conference League qualifying matches, bringing his total to six goals in twelve competitive matches – a solid start for the 48‑cap German international.
The Dutch media report predominantly positively about the former Dortmund player. His appearance in August was welcomed with applause, and since September he is seen as an important building block of the team, although critical voices still want to assess his long‑term consistency.