Finn Jeltsch

Finn Jeltsch
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-07-17) 17 July 2006
Place of birth Neuendettelsau, Germany
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 VfB Stuttgart
Number 29
Youth career
–2015 SV Raitersaich
2015–2023 1. FC Nürnberg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 1. FC Nürnberg 31 (1)
2025– VfB Stuttgart 36 (0)
International career‡
2021–2022 Germany U16 4 (2)
2022–2023 Germany U17 24 (0)
2024 Germany U18 1 (0)
2024–2025 Germany U19 7 (0)
2025– Germany U21 6 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Germany
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Winner2023 Indonesia
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner2023 Hungary
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 28 August 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 21:55, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

Finn Jeltsch (German pronunciation: [fɪn jɛltʃ]; born 17 July 2006) is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.

Club career

Jeltsch started his playing career with SV Raitersaich before joining 1. FC Nürnberg in 2015.[2] On 18 February 2024, the U-17 European and World Champion made his professional debut for Nürnberg in the 2. Bundesliga, coming on as a half-time substitute during a 1–1 against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.[3] In June 2024, he signed a new long-term contract with the club.[4]

On 3 February 2025, Jeltsch signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with VfB Stuttgart until June 2030.[1] He made his Bundesliga debut on 15 February, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Wolfsburg.[5] Ever since, the talented centre-back has become part of the starting line-up in the majority of Stuttgart's matches, e.g. by starting against Bayern Munich in a 3–1 away loss; although he was praised for his performances by his coach.[6] On 2 April, he played full 90 minutes and a crucial role in the DFB-Pokal semi-final, a 3–1 victory over RB Leipzig, helping his team advance to the final for the first time in 12 years.[7] Fabian Wohlgemuth, CEO of sports at VfB Stuttgart, praised the 18-year old for his performances: "He's currently a regular at the back. He's stabilized even further over the past few weeks and has become an important factor in our defense."[8] Jeltsch would play in the final and help his side win the DFB-Pokal and thus their first title in 18 years.[9]

On 25 September 2026, he would make his European debut in the Europa League league phase, a 2–1 victory over Celta Vigo.[10] On 23 May 2026, he would play in his second DFB-Pokal final, a 3–0 loss to Bayern Munich.[11]

International career

Jeltsch was part of the Germany U17 side who won both the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2023. He has represented Germany up to under–19 level.[12]

In May 2025, he was called up to the Germany U21 national team for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but he ultimately had to withdraw due to an injury.[13] His side reached the final, but lost.[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 28 August 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1. FC Nürnberg 2023–24[15] 2. Bundesliga 13000——130
2024–25[16] 2. Bundesliga 18120——201
Total 31120——331
VfB Stuttgart 2024–25[16] Bundesliga 1202000—140
2025–26[17] Bundesliga 2304010[a]000370
2026–27[18] Bundesliga 101000—20
Total 3607010000530
Career total 6719010000861
  1. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

VfB Stuttgart

Germany U17

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "Finn Jeltsch wechselt zum Club aus Cannstatt" [Finn Jeltsch moves to the club from Cannstatt] (in German). VfB Stuttgart. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "Großer Bahnhof für Finn Jeltsch: SV Raitersaich begrüßt seinen U17-Europameister". fussballn.de (in German). 6 June 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Nürnberg vs. Kaiserslautern 1 - 1". Soccerway. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Finn Jeltsch verlängert beim 1. FC Nürnberg" (in German). 2. Bundesliga. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Wolfsburg 2-1 Stuttgart (Feb 15, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "Bayern 3-1 Stuttgart (Feb 28, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  7. ↑ "Stuttgart 3-1 RB Leipzig (Apr 2, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "VfB Stuttgart: Boss-Lob für Jeltsch". bild.de (in German). 15 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Stuttgart 4-2 Bielefeld (May 24, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "Stuttgart 2-1 Celta Vigo (Sep 25, 2025) Final Score - ESPN". www.espn.com. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Bayern 3-0 Stuttgart (May 23, 2026) Final Score". www.espn.com. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Finn Jeltsch spielerprofil" (in German). German Football Association. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "Finn Jeltsch verpasst U21-EM". VfB Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "England 3-2 Germany (28 Jun, 2025) Game Analysis - ESPN (PH)". ESPN. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "Spiele von Finn Jeltsch – 2023/24" [Games played by Finn Jeltsch – 2023/24]. kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Spiele von Finn Jeltsch – 2024/25" [Games played by Finn Jeltsch – 2024/25]. kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  17. ↑ "Spiele von Finn Jeltsch – 2025/26" [Games played by Finn Jeltsch – 2025/26]. kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Spiele von Finn Jeltsch – 2026/27" [Games played by Finn Jeltsch – 2026/27]. kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Arminia Bielefeld 2–4 Stuttgart: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "Bayern 3-0 Stuttgart (May 23, 2026) Final Score". www.espn.com. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Germany take title with shoot-out win over France". UEFA. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Germany win FIFA U-17 World Cup after shootout drama". FIFA.com. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 10 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch named U19 Fritz Walter gold medal winner". Bundesliga. 17 October 2025. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
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