Junior Dina Ebimbe, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt to Stade Brest, has revealed a dramatic turnaround in his career after a difficult period. The 25-year-old winger, who managed just 11 minutes of action for Frankfurt between November 2024 and September 2025, saw a winter move to AS Monaco collapse following a failed medical. A summer loan to Brest followed. “I was afraid I would lose everything. But in Brest, I was healed,” Ebimbe told Sport Bild.
The Cameroon international, who joined Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain for €6.5 million in 2022, admitted he changed his lifestyle and surroundings to rediscover his form. “I’m fit again. Physically and finally mentally,” he said. “I now understand that football is not just my passion, but also my job. I didn’t realize that before.”
After a strong 2023/24 season with 15 goal involvements in 44 games, Ebimbe fell into a slump in 2024/25, featuring in only 12 matches with around 500 minutes. His market value dropped from €14 million to €6 million. He attributed part of the decline to his former entourage. “I easily give my trust. Unfortunately, I gave it to people who exploited me. I paid dearly for that. Now I only trust those who stood by me when I wasn’t playing.”
In Brest, Ebimbe has become a regular in the second half of the season, scoring five goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances and stabilizing his value at €6 million. The Ligue 1 side, currently 12th, reportedly hold a €7 million purchase option. Asked if Brest would trigger it, Ebimbe said, “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. I’ll probably go back to Frankfurt first.”
For Brest, a transfer of that size would be a record—their most expensive signings were Franck Honorat and Steve Mounié at €5 million each. Frankfurt operates in a different financial bracket. When Ebimbe left, Dino Toppmöller was coach and had frozen him out. “When I left, I wasn’t allowed to train with the first team anymore. But if they give me that chance under the new coach, I’ll give 100 percent. And if not, I’ll still give everything to be in top shape for another club.”
Ebimbe acknowledged his own role in the downturn, saying he wishes he “had been as professional earlier as I am now.” His contract with Eintracht runs until 2027. “I’m coming back as a new person. I love Frankfurt, I love this club, I love the fans. They’ve done a lot for me; I can’t deny that. That’s why I respect their decisions.”
Reflecting on former teammate Hugo Ekitiké, who moved from PSG to Frankfurt in 2024 and later joined Liverpool for €95 million, Ebimbe said, “Many of my teammates understood it earlier than I did. Hugo Ekitiké, for example. Football is tough—you have to work harder than others. In Frankfurt, I turned a blind eye to that. I was too relaxed.”
Ebimbe is one of seven Frankfurt loanees, with a combined market value of €26.8 million, including Elye Wahi (Nice) and Niels Nkounkou (Torino). As of now, Eintracht’s 2026/27 squad includes 35 professionals, among them ten defensive and offensive wingers.
