The Bees secure a high-potential Austrian talent on a long-term deal, bringing Champions League pedigree and defensive versatility to West London following his breakthrough season in Salzburg.
Brentford have completed the signing of Austrian defender Jannik Schuster from Red Bull Salzburg, subject to international clearance.
The 19-year-old centre-back has signed a contract until June 2031, with the club holding an option to extend his deal by a further year.
Schuster arrives in west London after establishing himself in Salzburg’s first-team squad this season. He made 29 appearances in all competitions and scored once, while also featuring three times in the Europa League.
One of those European appearances came away at Aston Villa, giving the Austria Under-21 international an early experience of playing against Premier League opposition before his move to Brentford.
Speaking to Brentford’s official website after the deal was confirmed, head coach Keith Andrews said: “I’m really delighted that we were able to get Jannik on board.
“He’s already played a lot of games for Salzburg at a high level. He’s a player with a lot of potential, and we see that as something we can develop.
“I really like him as a young man; he’s determined to maximise his potential. He’s going to fit in well with the first-team squad.”
The signing fits Brentford’s wider approach to recruitment. Schuster is young, has already played senior football in Austria and Europe, and arrives with room to develop further within the first-team environment.
Born in Hall in Tirol, Austria, Schuster began his youth career with SV Mieming before joining the Red Bull Salzburg Academy in 2020. He later progressed through Liefering, Salzburg’s feeder club, where he made 39 league appearances and scored twice.
Schuster made his Salzburg debut in a 4-2 Austrian Bundesliga win over Rapid Wien in May 2025, before becoming a regular member of the senior setup ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
He also has experience at youth level in Europe, having captained Salzburg Under-19s during their run to the UEFA Youth League semi-finals. Last summer, he was part of Salzburg’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup and was named among the substitutes for group-stage matches against Pachuca, Al-Hilal and Real Madrid.
At international level, Schuster has represented Austria at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
For Brentford, the move gives Andrews another defensive option ahead of next season and adds a player with a clear development profile. Schuster has already played a significant number of senior games for his age, but the long contract shows Brentford view him as part of their longer-term planning as well as the first-team squad.