Julian Brandes

Julian Christiaan Brandes (born 11 May 2004) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

Club career Brandes entered the Ajax academy on 12 May 2012, his eighth birthday. Having progressed through each youth level, he was identified by club media as one of the more promising midfielders yet to sign senior terms. Ajax offered him a first professional contract on 12 May 2022, a three‑year agreement running to 30 June 2025 with an option for a further season.

Ahead of the 2022–23 campaign, Brandes trained with Ajax's first‑team squad during pre‑season under new head coach Alfred Schreuder, featuring in a series of non‑competitive friendlies. He began the season as an unused substitute for Jong Ajax and rejoined the match‑day squad in February 2023 after a spell out of contention. Brandes made his professional debut on 17 March 2023, starting at centre‑back in a 2–0 Eerste Divisie defeat to Almere City. He scored his first league goal on 18 September 2023, opening the scoring for Jong Ajax in a 5–2 loss to Jong AZ.

He departed Ajax upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season.

On 20 August 2025, Brandes signed a one-year contract with Serie B side Pescara.

Career statistics