Overview
Jeremy Toljan is a German professional footballer, born on 8 August 1994, in Stuttgart. Primarily operating as a defender, Toljan has established a career defined by his adaptability across the full-back positions, capable of playing on both the right and left flanks. Standing at 1.82 meters, his physical attributes complement his technical proficiency, making him an asset in both defensive solidity and attacking phases of play. Toljan's career has seen him feature in the top leagues of Germany, England, and Italy, representing notable clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and US Sassuolo Calcio.
Position
Toljan's primary role is that of a full-back. While predominantly a right-back, his ability to switch to the left-back position without a significant drop in performance underscores his tactical intelligence and two-footedness. This positional flexibility has been a consistent feature throughout his career, allowing coaches to deploy him in various defensive setups. He is known for his defensive diligence, often tasked with containing opposition wingers, but also contributes to offensive movements through overlapping runs and crossing into the box.
Identity
Jeremy Toljan's identity as a footballer is rooted in his reliability and work rate. He is often described as a modern full-back who understands the dual responsibilities of his position: defending his flank and providing width in attack. His background in German youth football, particularly with TSG Hoffenheim, instilled a strong tactical foundation. This has allowed him to adapt to different leagues and tactical systems, demonstrating a professional approach to his development and performances on the pitch. His consistent performances have made him a dependable choice for the clubs he has represented, often providing an outlet on the wing and contributing defensively.
Career path
Jeremy Toljan's football journey began in his hometown of Stuttgart, progressing through the youth ranks before making his mark in professional football. His development path highlights a player who has consistently sought opportunities to play at the highest level, moving between prominent European leagues.
Youth Career and Hoffenheim Debut
Toljan commenced his youth career at SV Grün-Weiss Sommerrain before moving to the academy of VfB Stuttgart. In 2011, he transitioned to the youth setup of TSG Hoffenheim. He made his senior debut for Hoffenheim on 5 October 2013, in a Bundesliga match against Mainz 05, marking the beginning of his professional career (Transfermarkt). Toljan quickly established himself as a regular in the Hoffenheim squad, accumulating over 100 appearances across all competitions during his tenure at the club.
Borussia Dortmund and International Loan Spells
In August 2017, Toljan made a significant move to Borussia Dortmund, signing a five-year contract (Transfermarkt). His time at Dortmund included appearances in the Champions League, providing him with experience at the elite European club level. However, first-team opportunities became more sporadic, leading to a series of loan moves. In January 2019, he joined Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season (Transfermarkt), where he gained valuable playing time and contributed to Celtic's league title success.
Following his spell in Scotland, Toljan moved to Italy, joining Serie A side US Sassuolo Calcio on a season-long loan in July 2019 (Transfermarkt). This loan was subsequently made permanent in July 2021, solidifying his presence in Italian football. At Sassuolo, Toljan has found a consistent role, contributing to the club's efforts in Serie A and establishing himself as a key member of their defensive line.
Playing style
Jeremy Toljan embodies the characteristics of a modern full-back, prioritizing defensive solidity while also offering meaningful contributions in the attacking third. His playing style is marked by a strong work ethic, tactical discipline, and an ability to adapt to different systems and opposition threats. Predominantly a right-back, his versatility allows him to operate effectively on either flank, providing depth and flexibility to his teams.
Defensive Attributes
Defensively, Toljan is known for his athleticism and recovery pace, which allows him to track back effectively and cover ground against fast wingers. He exhibits good tackling technique and positional awareness, often making crucial interceptions to break up opposition attacks. His defensive duels won statistics often highlight his effectiveness in one-on-one situations, demonstrating a robust approach to defending his flank (FBref). He is also diligent in his defensive duties, often seen pressing high when required or dropping deep to form a cohesive defensive block.
Attacking Contributions
While his defensive duties are paramount, Toljan also contributes to his team's offensive play. He is adept at making overlapping runs down the wing, providing width and creating passing options in the final third. His crossing ability, particularly from the right flank, can be a valuable asset, delivering balls into dangerous areas for attackers. He demonstrates good link-up play with wingers and central midfielders, facilitating progression up the pitch. His rate of progressive passes and carries indicates his willingness to drive forward and contribute to offensive transitions (FBref).
Overall Profile
Toljan's playing style can be compared to full-backs who balance their responsibilities effectively, such as a more defensively oriented version of a player like Kevin Mbabu or a more attacking variant of a traditional wing-back. His composure on the ball and decision-making under pressure allow him to retain possession and initiate attacks from deep. He is not typically a player who will score many goals, but his consistent delivery and defensive reliability make him a valuable component of any backline. His experience across multiple leagues has also honed his tactical understanding, allowing him to adapt to various defensive and offensive schemes.
Achievements & honours
Jeremy Toljan's career has included notable successes at both club and international youth levels, accumulating significant experience in prestigious competitions.
Club Honours
During his loan spell with Celtic, Toljan contributed to their domestic success, securing a league title. At Borussia Dortmund, he was part of squads that competed at the highest level of German and European football, gaining valuable experience in the UEFA Champions League.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | Scottish Premiership | 2018–19 |
International Youth Honours
Toljan was a prominent figure in the Germany youth national teams, particularly with the U21 squad. His most significant international achievement came with the Germany U21 side, where he played a crucial role in securing a major continental title.
| Team | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Germany U21 | UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 2017 |
This victory underscored his potential and showcased his ability to perform under pressure on a significant international stage. His contributions to the U21 team's success were widely recognized, solidifying his reputation as a promising talent in German football.
International career
Jeremy Toljan has represented Germany at various youth levels, culminating in significant success with the U21 national team. While he has yet to earn a senior cap for the Germany national football team, his contributions at the youth level were impactful and showcased his abilities on an international stage.
Youth National Teams
Toljan progressed through Germany's youth system, making appearances for the U17, U18, U19, and U20 squads, gaining valuable experience against international opposition (Transfermarkt). His most notable involvement came with the Germany U21 team, for whom he made 22 appearances.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2017
A highlight of Toljan's international youth career was his participation in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He was a key player for Germany throughout the tournament, playing a crucial role as the team's starting right-back. His consistent performances contributed significantly to Germany's triumph in the competition, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Spain in the final (UEFA). Toljan's ability to combine defensive solidity with attacking impetus from the full-back position was a vital component of Germany's successful campaign. His performances in this tournament garnered significant attention and cemented his reputation as one of the most promising full-backs in Germany at the time.
What makes Jeremy Toljan stand out
Jeremy Toljan's standout qualities lie in his defensive versatility and consistent work rate. His ability to operate effectively as both a right-back and left-back provides tactical flexibility, a valuable asset in modern football. This adaptability, combined with his solid defending and willingness to contribute to attacking phases, makes him a reliable performer.
His experience in three major European leagues – the Bundesliga, Scottish Premiership, and Serie A – has rounded out his game, exposing him to different tactical approaches and enhancing his understanding of diverse footballing cultures. This exposure has honed his defensive intelligence and decision-making, particularly in one-on-one situations and tracking opposition wingers. While not always the most flamboyant player, his consistency and technical proficiency ensure he is a dependable option for his team's defensive line, offering both stability and an outlet on the flanks.
"Toljan is the modern full-back, capable in both directions. He's reliable and reads the game well."