Justin Che isn’t set to be part of Brondby’s plans for the 2025-26 European season.
Che is set to depart the Danish club this summer, with clubs in the Austrian Bundesliga and Dutch Eredivisie both interested, sources confirmed to SBI. The former FC Dallas academy product joined Brondby back in 2024, but has since only made one appearance for the club.
He spent the second part of last season on loan at Belgian second-tier side Patro Eisden, making 15 appearances for the club.
A former U.S. youth national team defender, Che has bounced around in Europe since his original move there. He spent time with Hoffenheim’s first and second teams, Bayern Munich II, and ADO Den Haag.
His most prominent playing time came with Den Haag in the Eredivisie, totaling two assists in 23 appearances. Che also made 15 appearances for FC Dallas and 16 appearances for then-USL affiliate, North Texas SC.
A versatile full back, Che featured 10 times for the U.S. Under-20 men’s national team, including making four appearances at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He has yet to earn a senior cap for the USMNT.
Che has made the bench on four occasions for Brondby during the early stages of this season, which has also included in UEFA Conference League qualifying.
The Summer Transfer Window closes for Eredivisie clubs on September 1 while Austrian Bundesliga teams have an additional four days to do business before the window closes for them on Sept. 5.
Bayern don’t usually play teenage CBs and if I remember correctly there was a little bit of disagreement over possible transfer value. So he came back to Dallas was a fairly decent RB. Went Hoffenheim on loan but wasn’t ready for Bundesliga still in his teens. Sold to Bronby where it was thought he’d play but they immediately loaned him to den Haag. Knee injury cut end of 23/24 and start of 24/25 (also meant no Olympics). He’s only 21 come back to MLS and reboot.
Crazy timeline he’s been on. Bayern Munich came looking him over and his valuations and prospects shot through the roof. I’m guessing after a closer look they decided, “naw”. Since then he’s been a rolling stone in Europe.
A lot of top teams will harvest young players at a low cost and then loan them out and if they don’t pan out, then they will sell them and end up making money on the whole deal. Look at how Dest began at Barcelona, but is now a standout in Holland, which isn’t all that bad. I was an Arsenal fan and I remember how they signed Costa Rican player Joel Campbell when he was like maybe 18. They loaned him out a couple of years and brought him back in when they had some injuries and then started him for half a season or so. He didn’t put up good numbers and then he kicked around in Europe for another 10 years or so. I imagine Arsenal eventually made money on him since they purchased his contract from a CR club. He was a good CONCACAF player and did well with lesser clubs. Because he didn’t stick with Arsenal didn’t mean he wasn’t a good player.
Agreed. I’m a Gooner and was stoked that JC was in the red and white BUT then reality set in that he was never gonna move Cazorla Theo or Sanchez out of their attacking spots.
Even though this professional journey is no failure by any means, I do hope Gio can get a good 7 year run somewhere and make a name for himself whilst establishing himself as a reliable professional.