The 19-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the Gtech Community Stadium until June 2031, with the option of a further year. He established himself in Salzburg's first team this season, making 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal and featuring three times in the Europa League — including a start in Salzburg's 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa's Villa Park in January.
Head coach Keith Andrews praised the signing immediately.
"I'm really delighted that we were able to get Jannik on board. He's already played a lot of games for Salzburg at a high level. He's a player with a lot of potential, and we see that as something we can develop. I really like him as a young man — he's determined to maximise his potential. He's going to fit in well with the first-team squad."
Schuster, who grew up in Hall in Tirol and joined Red Bull Salzburg's academy in 2020, progressed through the system via Salzburg's feeder club FC Liefering before earning his senior debut in May 2025. He captained Salzburg's Under-19s to the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League and was part of the squad for the 2025 Club World Cup.
He has made five appearances for Austria's Under-21s and spoke with evident admiration for the club he has joined.
"It's a great feeling. I'm really looking forward to starting training, meeting everybody, and getting to know the players, staff and fans."
"It's maybe the best club in the world at developing players. Every conversation I had gave me a good feeling and confidence about the transfer. It's impressive how successful the club has been with players they have brought in from nowhere, I would say."
On what supporters can expect.
"My athleticism is good, I can jump high and run fast. My strengths are in defending, and I hope I can show that. I'm really excited when I look at the current centre-backs and I think I can learn a lot from them."
Schuster is likely to sit behind Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer in Brentford's pecking order initially but the signing signals that Andrews is planning for a future that could include European football for the first time in the club's history.