What position does Julian Ryerson play?

Julian Ryerson plays as Full-back / Wing-back for Borussia Dortmund. Under Niko Kovač, Ryerson provides width and energy on the flank, alternating between defensive duties and arriving runs into the box. He has started 2026–27 in productive form, scoring twice in Dortmund's opening Bundesliga matches. His ability to defend a winger one-on-one and then deliver quality at the other end makes him one of the squad's most dependable performers.

What are Ryerson's key football skills?

Overlapping Runs: Constantly offers width outside the winger, arriving at pace to cross or cut the ball back. Crossing: Varied, accurate deliveries — his four-assist game against Mainz is the standout example. Counter-Pressing: Reacts instantly to losses on his flank, pressing to win the ball back high up the pitch. One-v-One Defending: Physically robust and committed in duels against wingers.

Full-back / Wing-back🇳🇴 Norwegian·Borussia Dortmund·b. 1997

Julian Ryerson

Dortmund's relentless, versatile full-back — a tireless runner and dangerous crosser who can play on either flank or as a wing-back.

Playing Style Summary

Ryerson is an energetic, versatile defender who has been a fixture at Borussia Dortmund since joining from Union Berlin in January 2023. Primarily a right-back early in his career at Viking, he has developed into a full-back and wing-back whose engine, aggression and crossing make him valuable in both phases. In February 2026 he provided four assists in a 4-0 win over Mainz, joining a very small group of players to do so in a Bundesliga match. With nearly 50 caps, he was part of Norway's 2026 World Cup squad.

Defining Traits

Relentless Engine

Covers the full length of the flank all game, joining attacks and recovering to defend with the same intensity.

Dangerous Delivery

His crossing is a genuine weapon — four assists from crosses in a single Bundesliga match against Mainz underlined the quality of his final ball.

Positional Versatility

Has operated as a full-back and wing-back, giving coaches flexibility across different systems.

Competitive Edge

An aggressive, front-foot defender who relishes duels and sets the tone for the players around him.

Strengths

Exceptional work rate and stamina
High-quality crossing from wide areas
Tactical flexibility across back-four and back-three systems
Aggressive, committed one-v-one defending
Chips in with goals from arriving runs

Limitations

Aggression in duels can occasionally draw him out of position
Less of an inventive dribbler than specialist attacking full-backs

More Norway players

See the full squad →

Right-backOlympiacos

Marcus Holmgren Pedersen

“An athletic, forward-thinking right-back shaped in Norway, the Netherlands and Italy — and a World Cup goalscorer against Senegal.”

Overlapping RunsRecovery PaceDefensive Positioning

Norwegian

Left-back / Left wing-backHamburger SV

David Møller Wolfe

“A former winger turned attacking left-back — direct, energetic and capable of scoring, now on loan in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV.”

Overlapping RunsBall CarryingArriving in the Box

Norwegian

Left-backBodø/Glimt

Fredrik André Bjørkan

“Bodø/Glimt's homegrown left-back — a key part of the Arctic club's rise to Europa League semi-finalists and Champions League giant-killers.”

Overlapping RunsPositional PlayPressing

Norwegian

Centre-Back / Right-BackBrentford

Kristoffer Ajer

“A 1.98 m centre-back tall enough to dominate the box, mobile enough to defend wide and carry the ball out from the back.”

Aerial DominanceBuild-Up PositioningPress Resistance

Norwegian

Centre-Back / Left-BackBologna

Torbjørn Heggem

“A late bloomer who climbed from the Norwegian second tier to Serie A — an aggressive, front-foot defender comfortable at centre-back or left-back.”

Pressing Trigger ReadingBuild-Up from the LeftDuel Strength

Norwegian

Centre-BackGenoa

Leo Skiri Østigård

“A combative, aerially dominant centre-back who defends his box with total commitment — and turns set-pieces into goals at the other end.”

HeadingLow-Block DefendingSet-Piece Attacking

Norwegian

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