Bundesliga
Who is Hugo Ekitiké?
Less than half a year since Randal Kolo Muani moved to Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt have found the ideal replacement in Hugo Ekitiké. bundesliga.com profiles the striker, whose initial loan-deal has now been made permanent.
Stats correct as of 26 April 2024
Age: 21 (born 20 June 2002)
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Position: Striker
Country: France (six U20 caps)
Key stats
Ekitiké contributed three goals and four assists in 25 top-flight appearances during a succesful loan spell at PSG that culminated in the 2022/23 Ligue 1 title and a permanent contract. The 6'2" forward also played in a further seven matches in the UEFA Champions League and French Cup, scoring once, but found himself out of favour under new head coach Luis Enrique, prior to his Frankfurt switch on 1 February 2024.
Ten goals in 24 Ligue 1 games for former employers Stade Reims in 2021/22 is Ekitiké's career-best tally to beat at Eintracht's Deutsche Bank Park. As well as a further six goals in 14 outings for the Reims reserves, he has the experience of 11 appearances in the Danish Superliga with Vejla, the France U20 international's three goals in eight play-off fixtures helping the club stave off relegation for another season. After joining Frankfurt, Ekitiké had scored one goal in 10 Bundesliga appearances by the end of April and clearly showed enough promise for the club to exercise their buy option on the youngster. He signed a long-term contract which will keep him in Frankfurt until at least 2029.
Plays a bit like: Thierry Henry
Ekitiké can be clinical in front of goal, but he's also a real workhorse. Physical and agile, he's known for his willingness to press from the front and is a real nuisance when dropping deep to receive possession. With his silky touch, slick movement and penchant for cutting in off the left-hand flank thrown into the mix, comparisons with a young Thierry Henry are not that wide of the mark.
Did you know?
As Frankfurt's official X (formerly Twitter) channel teased before his transfer was confirmed, Ekitiké's surname is a palindrome. That is, it reads the same backwards as forwards!
Watch: Ekitiké's first Frankfurt goal in 3-1 win over Augsburg - highlights
What they're saying
"Hugo has shown the quality he possesses in his appearances so far. We’re fully convinced of his potential and are looking forward to seeing him in an Eintracht shirt beyond the current season." - Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche after signing the Frenchman permanently
"There is something very special about him. He's a young man with a lot of quality but also a lot to improve on, but he works hard in training." - Óscar García, Ekitiké's former Reims coach