Once viewed purely as a player of untapped potential, Hugo Ekitike is now thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt, inspiring hopes of a second UEFA Europa League title in three years.
Frankfurt, who famously lifted the trophy in 2022, will face Tottenham Hotspur in London on Thursday in the first leg of their quarterfinal showdown. While that previous campaign under then-coach Oliver Glasner (now at Crystal Palace) was fueled by emotion and underdog grit—culminating in a penalty shootout victory over Rangers in Seville—this season's side is more balanced and tactically mature.
At the heart of this evolution stands 22-year-old Ekitike, whose standout performances have made him the focal point of a team that also boasts seasoned leaders like captain Kevin Trapp and World Cup winner Mario Götze, alongside an exciting new generation of talent.
After a difficult stint at Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike arrived in Frankfurt during the winter transfer window of the 2023–24 season. Now, the 1.9-meter striker from Reims in France’s Champagne region is sparkling in form and confidence.
His brilliance was on full display during Frankfurt’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Ajax in the Europa League round of 16. Ekitike provided a deft assist for Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s opener before firing in a spectacular long-range goal to seal the result.
That display followed his hat-trick for France’s U21 side in a thrilling 5-3 win over England in March—further proof that Frankfurt may once again have unearthed one of Europe’s most promising forwards.
Out of Marmoush’s Shadow
Ekitike has seamlessly stepped into the void left by Omar Marmoush, who joined Manchester City in January. Marmoush is just the latest in a long line of Frankfurt forwards to earn high-profile moves, following in the footsteps of Randal Kolo Muani, Luka Jovic, Sébastien Haller, André Silva, and Ante Rebić.
Now, Ekitike is reportedly attracting interest from the Premier League as he continues to shine in Germany. Reflecting on his time at PSG, where he found playing opportunities limited alongside superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar, Ekitike told UEFA in February:
“It was not the happiest moment in my life, but it was a necessary part of my journey.”
At Frankfurt, he has embraced the added responsibility. After scoring four goals in 14 appearances during his first half-season, Ekitike has delivered an impressive 19 goals and eight assists across all competitions this campaign.
The only blemish on his record this season has been his struggles from the penalty spot, converting just one of three attempts. Nevertheless, head coach Dino Toppmöller’s continued trust in him to take spot-kicks speaks volumes about the belief the club has in their young star.
A Club United by the Europa League
Unlike Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, or Hamburg, Frankfurt do not boast an extensive trophy cabinet. Yet they are among the most passionately supported clubs in Germany—a fact made especially clear during their triumphant 2022 Europa League campaign.
That run included an iconic away quarterfinal against Barcelona, where an estimated 30,000 Frankfurt supporters flooded the Nou Camp, creating a surreal home-like atmosphere for the German side. The incident prompted an apology from Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who admitted he was “embarrassed and ashamed.”
Ekitike says he’s been struck by the club’s deep connection with the competition:
“This is my first experience of the Europa League. It’s what put the club in the spotlight. In the big games—it’s crazy. We know it’s a competition that’s taken seriously here.”
As Frankfurt push for another title, Ekitike has his sights firmly set on silverware:
“We have a shared goal: winning the competition. Lifting the cup with Eintracht Frankfurt—why not?”