Kevin Schade was born on 27 November 2001 in Berlin, Germany. He came through the youth academy of Hertha BSC, his home-city club, before being picked up by SC Freiburg, where he developed into a senior professional and made a significant impression in the Bundesliga during the 2022-23 season with his pace and directness from wide positions.
In January 2023 Brentford signed him on a permanent deal for a reported fee of around £20 million, making him one of the more significant investments from Thomas Frank's scouting infrastructure. He initially struggled to adapt to the physicality and tempo of the Premier League, with his first full season producing fewer contributions than expected, but he persisted and worked into a more effective rotation role.
By the 2024-25 season he had become a more consistent Premier League contributor for Brentford, featuring regularly in the squad and producing attacking returns that reflected his development in English football. His speed and directness remained his primary weapons, and the understanding built within Brentford's system helped him become a more reliable option from wide positions.
For Germany he received his first senior cap in 2022 and has remained in the national team pool as a wide option. His Premier League experience gives him a physicality that complements the more technically refined options in Germany's attacking setup.
Standing 1.85 m, Schade is a right-footed wide attacker whose primary assets are pace over distance, directness and an ability to run in behind defensive lines. His profile — fast and direct wide attacker capable of working on either flank — draws comparisons with a younger Arjen Robben in terms of the value placed on his running ability, adapted to a more Premier League-ready physical style.