The London Evening Standard confirmed the deal, with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also reporting a verbal club-to-club agreement in place for a total package of around €20million. Schuster has been watched by a number of other English clubs but looks set to join the Bees.
Schuster came through the Red Bull pathway, spending three seasons at second-division feeder club FC Liefering before being promoted to the Salzburg first team. He has made 30 appearances across all competitions this season, including matches in the Champions League and Europa League — among them a group stage fixture against Aston Villa in January. He scored his first Bundesliga goal against Austria Vienna.
A right-footed centre-back comfortable on either side of a defensive pairing, Schuster has represented Austria at Under-21 level and is the son of former ski jumping coach Werner Schuster. He is contracted to Salzburg until June 2028.
Brentford already have Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock in their centre-back ranks, making Schuster a long-term addition rather than an immediate first-choice option. His profile fits the club's established recruitment model — young players from high-level development environments bought before their market value outgrows Brentford's budget.
The timing is notable. Brentford head into the final three Premier League matches with European football within reach for the first time in the club's history. Aston Villa's progression to the Europa League final on Thursday increased the likelihood of the Bees entering the Champions League, potentially reshaping what they can offer players in recruitment conversations.
At 19, with full senior exposure and European experience behind him, Schuster arrives ready to contribute rather than wait. Whether he forces his way into head coach Keith Andrews's first-choice plans next season is a different matter — but the investment suggests Brentford believe he will.