It had been announced that Faride Alidou would be in a hurry to join Frankfurt.

At the beginning of June, the dribbling attacker admitted that he was a little nervous about his new commitment on the Main – a state of mind that he hardly knows about himself.

George Daniels

Editor in the sports department

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At that time, the 20-year-old addition from Hamburger SV was active in the ranks of the German U-21 national team, which then successfully qualified for the European Championship.

Eintracht head coach Oliver Glasner therefore granted Alidou special leave until Monday of this week, like some other national players who took advantage of the summer break.

But Alidou reported for duty in Frankfurt last Friday – voluntarily.

Born in Hamburg, whose parents are from Togo, he couldn't wait: "I had a long break and didn't want to sit around all day," said Alidou at his performance on Wednesday.

The high-flyer now in Frankfurt

Eintracht is a “great challenge” for him.

But the "right step" from his point of view.

Faride Alidou's career had picked up speed in the past lap.

In the summer of 2021, coming from the reserves, he trained with the HSV professionals for the first time - after the young offensive player had worked through all the youth departments of the club for ten years.

On October 16, he made his debut in the second division as a substitute against Düsseldorf.

The start of his rapid rise: The winger secured a regular place in attack by being directly involved in six goals in six games.

“It went in quick succession.

He didn't expect "that things could happen so quickly," said the high-flyer in retrospect.

Alidou wanted to move to Frankfurt in the winter, but both clubs could not agree on a transfer fee.

His early desire for a sporting change slowed him down;

Despite initial great enthusiasm for his football jewel, coach Tim Walter often only used Alidou as a joker from then on.

"I put way too much pressure on myself.

As a young player, it's sometimes difficult to deal with that."

Alidou also faced hostility in Hamburg, especially on social media.

“It was a bit difficult at the beginning.

I pushed it aside after a few weeks.” The positive reactions that were received did him good.

All in all, he has become "more mature" through what he has experienced, says Alidou.

Overall, the U-21 international played 23 professional games last season, in which he scored two goals and seven assists.

For an aspiring league newcomer, that's a very respectable record.

Christian Wörns, his former coach at the U20s and former national team player, believes that the "difference player" Alidou is capable of a breakthrough in the Bundesliga.

Faride put an "incredible speed on the day - both on long distances and in short movements," said Wörns.

Alidou, who was free and has signed a contract in Frankfurt until July 1, 2026, knows about his "great speed and dynamism".

And about his “good technique”.

How the "cheeky" and "unpredictable" is part of his game play, "that distinguishes me".

Oliver Glasner also likes "this cheeky style, I want to keep it," says Alidou.

At the end, however, he still has to work, “maybe a bit on the header game”.

Its areas of application are both outer lanes.

But he can also act well behind the striker.

"I prefer to play on the left," he says.

"But I have no problem changing positions." Because: "It irritates the opponents."

Since his move to the pros in Hamburg, Alidou has proven "that he can quickly find his way in a higher league," said Frankfurt sports director Markus Krösche in praise of the newcomer.

Nevertheless, the attacker will be given the necessary time “to acclimate to the Bundesliga”.

A loan to another club is out of the question for Alidou.

"I didn't come here for that, I want to assert myself at Eintracht," he emphasizes.

"If I do what the coach wants and if I give everything for the team, I'll definitely get my playing times." Alidou was ahead of his time when it came to starting work in Frankfurt.