SALZBURG, Austria – Jakob Pokorny, the captain of Austria’s recent Under-17 World Cup squad, is officially joining Red Bull Salzburg. The 18-year-old defender will transition from partner club FC Liefering at the start of the upcoming season, signing a contract that extends through June 30, 2028. This move solidifies Red Bull Salzburg’s commitment to nurturing young Austrian talent and integrating them into their professional ranks.
Pokorny’s journey to Salzburg began in early 2022, when he moved from his native Carinthia to join the Red Bull Academy. He progressed through the youth levels, featuring for the U16 and U18 teams, as well as participating in the UEFA Youth League with the U19 squad. His development culminated in appearances for FC Liefering, where he has made six appearances to date. He has also been recently called up to Austria’s U18 national team, continuing his international career alongside his club commitments.
The centre-back’s leadership was on full display during Austria’s impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, where the team reached the final before falling to Portugal. Pokorny captained the team throughout the tournament, demonstrating maturity and composure beyond his years. His performance earned him recognition as a key player for the future of Austrian football.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Sporting Director, Marcus Mann, expressed his delight with the signing. “We are delighted to have signed another key part of the Austrian U17 World Cup team,” Mann said. “While Jakob hasn’t yet played many matches at the professional level, he has already demonstrated that he is a very mature player. The same applies to him as Johannes Moser – we recognize his qualities, but we will give him the necessary time to develop since it’s crucial to find the right time, not the fastest possible one, for his next step.”
Pokorny himself echoed Mann’s sentiments, expressing his excitement about the opportunity. “I am incredibly excited about this opportunity at FC Red Bull Salzburg,” he stated. “This is a big step for me, and I will give everything to develop further here. I know there is a lot of operate ahead of me, but that’s exactly what motivates me, because I want to prove myself step by step and repay the faith placed in me.”
Born on February 23, 2008, in Klagenfurt, Austria, Pokorny stands at 1.82 meters tall. He began his youth career with Klagenfurter AC in 2014 before moving to Wolfsberger AC in September 2021. His time in Wolfsberg was brief, as he joined the Red Bull Salzburg academy in February 2022. This rapid progression through various academies highlights his potential and the attention he has garnered from top Austrian football clubs.
Despite his young age, Pokorny has already represented Austria at various youth levels, including the U15, U16, and U17 teams. He has accumulated 6 caps for the U15s, 8 for the U16s, and 17 appearances for the U17s, scoring one goal. His consistent involvement in national team setups demonstrates his importance to Austrian youth football development.
The arrangement will see Pokorny continue to play for FC Liefering as a “co-operation player,” allowing him to gain valuable playing time and experience while remaining within the Red Bull Salzburg system. This approach is common for developing young players, providing a pathway to the first team without immediately placing them under the pressure of top-level competition. It allows coaches to carefully monitor his progress and integrate him into the Red Bull Salzburg squad when the timing is right.
This signing underscores Red Bull Salzburg’s strategy of identifying and nurturing promising young players, both domestically and internationally. The club has a proven track record of developing talent and providing opportunities for young players to succeed at the highest level. Pokorny’s arrival adds another exciting prospect to their already impressive youth setup.
Fans can expect to see Pokorny continue to feature for FC Liefering in the Austrian Second League, with opportunities to showcase his skills and potentially earn a call-up to the Red Bull Salzburg first team in the future. The next confirmed match for FC Liefering is yet to be announced, but details will be available on the club’s official website.
What are your thoughts on this exciting young talent joining Red Bull Salzburg? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Keep reading
