The qualities Nathaniel Brown brings to FC Bayern

Nathaniel Brown has been an FC Bayern player since 3 July – but he’s not been able to spend too much time with his new team-mates yet. The Germany international has done just two training sessions with the team on the pitch so far. After taking part in the World Cup, the 23-year-old enjoyed a well-earned holiday before joining training at the pre-season camp at Tegernsee on Tuesday.

“I'm delighted to finally be here,” declared the full-back at his unveiling to the media at the team hotel in Rottach-Egern on Wednesday afternoon. “My first impression of the team was very good, I knew a lot of the guys already and I'm getting to know the others." For the born-and-bred Bavarian, it’s something special to have signed for the German record champions. “Everyone in Amberg [his hometown] is a Bayern fan, it's mad. FC Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world – you just want to play there.”

Read all the quotes from the press conference here:

‘Young, Bavarian, versatile and immense quality'

The step from Frankfurt, who finished eighth in the Bundesliga last season, to the German double winners was not a small one – especially as the previous campaign was not an easy one for Brown as Eintracht performed below expectations. But the young, versatile defensive player stood out in the team, as Max Eberl pointed out: “He was the one who, despite this pressure, kept showing the qualities he has, how stable he is, the reading of the game he has,” said the board member for sport at the press conference. “Young, Bavarian, versatile and immense quality” – it was that special mix that convinced the Munich management to sign Brown, Eberl added.

The new arrival himself knows what qualities he can bring to Bayern’s game in the future – but also what he still needs to work on. “I have good pace and a good sense of space. What I’m still not so good at are long balls, I need to work on my heading and also on defending when the ball is played in behind me.” In former world-class defender Vincent Kompany, Brown now has the perfect teacher at FC Bayern to improve in these areas. He’s already spoken to the coach about where his strengths are and what he can do better, revealed Brown. “It’s very impressive” having a coach with such a great playing career.

Bayern’s new no. 11

Brown wants to make the most of this chance, but he’s also aware that you’re not simply gifted a place in the team at Bayern. “The quality in the squad here is certainly brutal,” praised the youngster. He just wants to show what he’s capable of, continued Brown: “I want to play as many matches as possible, help the team and ultimately win trophies.” His versatility will certainly help with that – Brown can play everywhere out side, both defensively and offensively, as Eberl emphasised. He can even be used in the middle, too. This overall package makes him “a player with a big future”, summarised the board member for sport.

Fans might be able to get a little taste of what Brown can give Bayern on Thursday evening (18:00 CEST) in the friendly against FC Rottach-Egern. The summer signing could make his first appearance in an FCB jersey, which will have the number 11 on the back of it, as was announced at the end of the media round.

The new signing profiled: