One of the cornerstones of Xabi Alonso’s incredible success as Bayer Leverkusen head coach, former Manchester City youngster Jeremie Frimpong ranks as one of the most electric wing-backs in world football today. bundesliga.com has the lowdown on Bayer’s flying Dutchman…

Data correct as of 13 May 2025

Jeremie Frimpong

Age: 24 (born 10 December 2000)
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Right-back/ wing-back/ winger
Country: Netherlands (12 caps, one goal)

Key stats

Netherlands-born but with Ghanaian roots on his maternal side, Frimpong has actually spent the majority of his life in Great Britain. His family upped sticks for England when he was seven, and within two years the young boy from Amsterdam was kicking about in the Man City youth academy. Frimpong crossed paths with Jadon Sancho in the U18s before the latter made a career-shaping move to Borussia Dortmund. Despite impressing with the U23s in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth Leaguethe Dutchman left the Etihad Campus without playing a single minute of senior football.

That’s not all Frimpong has in common with Sancho. After a domestic treble-winning stint with Scottish giants Celticthe 5’8″ right-back looked to the Bundesliga to further his career. A January 2021 move to Leverkusen had the desired effect. He earned his maiden senior Netherlands cap during his first season at the clubquickly becoming not only a first-team staple but morphing into one of the most effective right-sided full-backs in the business.

Frimpong’s third full season in Leverkusen colours was proof of that, with his 14 goals and seven assists helping The workself go unbeaten on their way to lifting the Bundesliga and DFB Cup whilst reaching the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final. Those eye-watering numbers were always going to be a tough act to follow, but Frimpong still managed five goals and 11 assists across all competitions as Bayer competed on three fronts once more in 2024/25. He featured in every single Bundesliga game, recording a league-high 1021 sprints.

When his teams are in possession, Frimpong behaves like a right winger rather than a right-back. He has the pace to eat up ground in the final third and boasts a keen eye for a decisive pass, and in 2023/24 his finishing went to a whole new level. He doesn’t shirk his defensive duties, though, his acceleration the fuel for some rocket-propelled recovery challenges.

Achraf Hakimi brought the best of both worlds to the table during a two-year loan spell spent dovetailing with Sancho at Dortmund, but Frimpong has improved on that, and has become an attacking powerhouse in his own right.

Did you know?

If Frimpong wasn’t such a talented footballer, he could no doubt make his way in the world as a translator or interpreter.

“It was English that was spoken in the house when I was growing up,” he told goal.com. “That and the Ghanaian language called Twi. My mum would normally speak that to me, but my brothers and sisters all speak English. I’m still working on my Dutch. I know how to speak it a little. If I do play for the national team, I will try to learn it.”

Frimpong won a handful of U19, U20 and U21 caps for the Netherlands, but was previously eligible to represent Ghana and England at senior level prior to his full international debut in October 2023.

What they’re saying

“I see a grown-up Jerry. It is important not only to play well, but also to understand the profession, the work. He understands why you do certain things. He had a big influence last season. He still has that influence now, but with a slightly different game, with fewer transitions and more control.” – outgoing Leverkusen head coach Alonso in October 2023

“In recent years, Jeremie Frimpong has not only become one of our team’s best players, but in his position as an attacking right-back, he has become one of the best players in the Bundesliga.” – Leverkusen Sporting Director Simon Rolfes

“We always say Jerry can’t shoot at all… but he has scored a lot of goals.” – Bayer teammate Robert Andiich

“Young, accomplished on the ball, versatile, with real pace and a very lively style of play: if Jeremie continues in the same way in the coming years, he could be an important part of our team.” – Former Leverkusen CEO Rudi Völler

“I’ve never seen a better kid than him. The quality of his play, the pace of his play, the end product. His fitness levels are incredible, I think that the fans have really taken to him.” – former Celtic head coach Neil Lennon