The 20-year-old had already won two senior caps for Tunisia in friendlies this spring after coming through their Under-20 setup, and the north African federation had been hoping to name him in their World Cup squad, where he would likely have cemented his place, according to Transfermarkt.de.
Ben Farhat cited the heavy physical demands of a long-awaited return from injury as his main reason for turning down the World Cup call-up, though the prospect of a future with the German federation is also thought to have influenced his decision. He is now expected to be included in Germany's Under-21 squad when the international window opens at the end of September.
Born in Waiblingen, Ben Farhat qualifies for Germany through birthright despite his Tunisian heritage. His change of association comes alongside a switch at club level: SC Freiburg have signed him from Karlsruher SC for a fee that could rise to around €10 million, though he will spend this season back at the second-division club on loan to continue his development.
The attacker broke through at Karlsruhe as a teenager, making his debut in the 2. Bundesliga in March 2024, and battled back from a metatarsal fracture that sidelined him for much of last season to finish the campaign strongly, scoring five goals after the winter break. He has gone on to make 36 senior appearances for Karlsruhe in total, contributing nine goals and three assists.
"We're delighted to have signed such an exciting young player in Louey," Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach said at the time of the transfer.
"He's technically very gifted, reads space well and can pose a goal threat himself, while also having the ability to find his teammates in dangerous positions."
SC Freiburg saw off competition from Eintracht Frankfurt, who had been the frontrunners for much of the summer before the two clubs failed to agree a package with Karlsruhe, as well as a late run from RB Salzburg.
The club retain the option to bring Ben Farhat to the Bundesliga as early as this coming January, when Japanese trio Yuito Suzuki, Rihito Yamamoto and Keisuke Goto could be unavailable because of the Asian Cup.