Who is Jeremie Frimpong

At just 24 (turning 25 in December 2025), Jeremie Agyekum Frimpong has already carved a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting right‑sided defenders. Known for his blistering pace, offensive instincts, and versatility, he has now made a high‑profile move to Liverpool, following standout seasons in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen. Below, we trace his journey, playing style, strengths and challenges, and what the future might hold.

Early life & youth career

• Birth & heritage
  Frimpong was born on 10 December 2000 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to parents of Ghanaian descent.
  While still a child, his family moved to England, settling in the Manchester area, which would shape his early football trajectory.
• Youth path
  At age 9, Frimpong joined Manchester City’s youth setup, where he spent nearly a decade (2010–2019) developing through the ranks.
  Interestingly, although he was a fan of Liverpool as a child, logistical challenges led him to City instead: “Because we lived in Manchester and my uncle could not drive me to Liverpool five days a week, I ended up at City,” Frimpong later revealed.
• Leaving Manchester City
  Despite long years in City’s youth system, Frimpong did not break into their senior squad. Eventually he sought senior exposure elsewhere, leading to a move north to Scotland.

First steps in professional football — Celtic years

In 2019, Frimpong moved to Celtic in Scotland.
He made his professional debut on 25 September 2019 in a Scottish League Cup match versus Partick Thistle (5–0 win) and played 79 minutes before being subbed.
Although his tenure in Scotland was relatively brief, he gained valuable first-team minutes, and importantly added silverware to his CV: with Celtic he won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup in the 2019–20 season.

The Leverkusen chapter: breakthrough, evolution & success

Arrival and adaptation

In January 2021, Frimpong transferred from Celtic to Bayer Leverkusen on a long-term contract. At Leverkusen he steadily matured, learning to balance his attacking instincts with defensive responsibilities. Leverkusen’s management viewed him as a “signing for the future,” highlighting his technique, astonishing speed, and ambition to join attacks.

Playing style & attributes

Frimpong is not your conventional full‑back. His profile combines defensive and offensive traits:

• Pace & acceleration
  His top recorded speed in the 2024–25 season was 36.34 km/h, making him one of the fastest in the Bundesliga.
  His first few steps from standing still are often cited as among his most dangerous assets.
• Attacking instinct & output
  Operating especially as a wing-back in Leverkusen’s system, he frequently bombed forward, providing width, crosses, and goal contributions. In his Leverkusen career, he scored ~30 goals and provided ~44 assists in some 190 appearances across all competitions.
  In the 2023–24 campaign, Leverkusen’s title year, he produced 14 goals and 12 assists.
• Versatility
  While his primary role was along the right flank, Frimpong also filled in as a more traditional right-back or even right-winger when needed.
• Durability & consistency
  Frimpong was remarkably available: across multiple seasons, he missed very few Bundesliga matches. In the three most recent Bundesliga seasons, he missed only three out of 102 games.

Achieving the double & peak moment

The climax of Frimpong’s Leverkusen era came in 2023–24, when the club captured a historic domestic double: they won both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, finishing the league season undefeated in domestic competition.
In the Cup final, Leverkusen edged Kaiserslautern 1–0, and Frimpong featured in the run to that success.

One memorable contribution: in a 2–0 win over Cologne in March 2024, Frimpong scored the opening goal.

Under the coaching of Xabi Alonso, Frimpong’s attacking output soared, and he formed a dynamic right-side partnership (nicknamed “Grimpong” along with fellow wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo) that was central to Leverkusen’s dominance.

International ambitions & Oranje career

Born in the Netherlands and eligible also for Ghana (by descent) and England (by residence), Frimpong ultimately chose to represent the Netherlands.

He climbed through Dutch youth levels (U19, U20, U21) before earning his first senior cap in October 2023, coming on in a Euro qualifier against France.
Since then, he has accumulated appearances for Oranje (by late 2025 around 14 caps) and has contributed at least one goal.

Yet, language has been a small hurdle: despite being Dutch by birth, he grew up speaking English (and Twi, the Ghanaian language), and has admitted he still works on his Dutch, but can follow football instructions in meetings.

Move to Liverpool: new chapter

The transfer

On 30 May 2025, Liverpool officially announced the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, with reports indicating a €35 million release‑clause was triggered. He signed a long-term contract (reportedly five years, until 2030).

His arrival comes at a key moment—Liverpool legend Trent Alexander‑Arnold departed, leaving a noticeable void on the right flank. Frimpong is understood to be the first major signing under new manager Arne Slot.

Frimpong made his debut for Liverpool in the FA Community Shield on 10 August 2025, scoring a chip in a 2–2 draw (though Liverpool eventually lost the match on penalties).

What he brings & expectations

Liverpool clearly expect Frimpong to bring:

• Attacking width and gas: His style fits a modern full-back/wing-back role, especially in a team that demands full-backs capable of breaking lines and providing width.
• Competition and depth: He’ll likely compete with Conor Bradley for the right-back position, putting pressure on both for consistent performances.
• Offensive contributions: His track record of goals and assists suggests Liverpool envision him not just as a defender but a creative outlet from deep.

Still, there are caveats. Some analysts warn that his defensive discipline is not yet as polished as his attacking instincts. He may need time to adapt to the pace and physical demands of the Premier League.

Strengths, weaknesses & challenges

Strengths

1. Electric pace & stamina: Physically, Frimpong is one of the most explosive full-backs in Europe.
2. Attacking output: He has shown an ability to score and assist, even from deeper positions.
3. Versatility: Comfortable in multiple right‑side roles, including as a traditional right-back, wing-back, or even wide attacker.
4. Consistency & durability: He has avoided serious injury spells and maintained availability.
5. Big‑game experience: He’s played in top European competition, domestic title races, and cup finals.

Weaknesses & points to watch

• Defensive positioning & decision-making: Against high-level opposition, the occasional lapse in judgment or positioning can be exposed.
• Physicality & aerial battles: He is not a tall defender, so in set-piece or aerial duels he may be at a disadvantage.
• Adjustment to Premier League intensity: Transitioning from the Bundesliga to England will test his tactical awareness and recovery speed.
• Language & communication: Though on the rise, his Dutch is still imperfect; integrating fully into team defensive schemes might take time.

What to expect: outlook & impact

Frimpong´s defensive contributions could become a key asset in big matches for the Dutch National Team. Interesting is to see how he will do together with Denzel Dumfries, although many of us think it´s not a good combination. Lets see how and with who he will play at the World Cup in 2026.