Coming through the youth system, Younes made his senior debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012. After a one-season loan spell at 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Younes moved to Dutch club Ajax in 2015, with whom he was runner-up in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. In 2018 Younes moved to Italian side Napoli on a free transfer, winning the 2019–20 Coppa Italia. After two seasons, he moved back to Germany playing for Eintracht Frankfurt between 2020 and 2022. He then spent half a season in Saudi Arabia at Al-Ettifaq in 2022, and one season on loan at Utrecht in 2022–23, before becoming a free agent in 2023. He signed for Schalke 04 in the 2. Bundesliga in 2024.
Younes represented Germany at youth level between 2008 and 2015, and the senior team between 2017 and 2021. He was part of the squad that won the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
On 16 July 2015, Younes signed a three-year contract for Dutch club Ajax, until 30 June 2018, with an option for an additional year for €2,5 million.[5] After an injury, which kept him out for the start of the championship, he made his debut as a starter against Groningen (2–0) on 26 September.[6] The following week he scored his first goal for Ajax, against PSV in a 1–2 defeat.[7] Over the weeks, the player found continuity and concluded his first season with eight goals and nine assists in 35 total games. On 20 October 2016, he scored his first goal in a UEFA competition by scoring against Celta Vigo (2–2) in the UEFA Europa League.[8] At the end of the season he played in the 2017 UEFA Europa League final lost to Manchester United.[9] Younes was the player with the most dribbles in the competition.[10]
Napoli
In July 2018 Younes moved to Serie A side Napoli on a free transfer. When Younes moved to Napoli, he requested number 34 shirt in tribute to former Ajax teammate Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed and suffered brain damage, ending his career.[11] His league debut came on 8 December 2018, against Frosinone in a 4–0 win.[12] Younes' first goal for Napoli, and in the Serie A, came on 17 March 2019, in a 4–2 home victory over Udinese.[13]
Eintracht Frankfurt (loan)
On 3 October 2020, Eintracht Frankfurt announced the signing of Younes on a two-year loan from Napoli with an option to buy.[14] On 18 January 2022, the loan was terminated early by consent from Younes, Eintracht and Napoli.[15]
Al-Ettifaq
On 23 January 2022, Younes signed a contract with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia until 2024.[16]
Utrecht (loan)
On 31 August 2022, Younes joined Utrecht in the Netherlands on loan for the 2022–23 season.[17]
Release by Al-Ettifaq
On 27 July 2023 Younes announced on Instagram that his contract at Al-Ettifaq had been terminated by mutual consent.[18]
Schalke 04
After almost a year without a club, Younes signed a two-year contract with 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04 on 5 June 2024.[19]
His senior debut came on 6 June 2017, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Denmark.[22] Younes scored his first goal for the national team in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against San Marino on 10 June 2017.[23] On 29 June 2017, he scored his second goal in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final game against Mexico, which Germany won 4–1.[23] Germany were crowned champions after beating Chile 1–0 in the final.[24]
Personal life
Younes was born in Germany to a Lebanese father from Tripoli, Zoulfikar – who also played football,[25] and a German mother, Astrid.[26] Younes has an older brother named Phillip, who plays amateur football, and a younger brother named Carim.[25] During the summer, Younes usually visits his family from his father's side in Lebanon.[27] He is a practicing Muslim.[28][29]
Style of play
A technical forward, Younes' main characteristics are his dribbling, pace, and vision of play.[10]
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