Finn Jeltsch
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 17 July 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Neuendettelsau, Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 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 | 34 | (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
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* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19 April 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.
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]
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.[10]
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.[11] His side reached the final, but lost.[12]