Julian Christiaan Brandes (born 11 May 2004) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Pescara.
Brandes entered the Ajax academy on 12 May 2012, his eighth birthday. Having progressed through each youth level, he was identified by club media as one of the more promising midfielders yet to sign senior terms. Ajax offered him a first professional contract on 12 May 2022, a threeâÂÂyear agreement running to 30 June 2025 with an option for a further season.
Ahead of the 2022âÂÂ23 campaign, Brandes trained with Ajax's firstâÂÂteam squad during preâÂÂseason under new head coach Alfred Schreuder, featuring in a series of nonâÂÂcompetitive friendlies. He began the season as an unused substitute for Jong Ajax and rejoined the matchâÂÂday squad in February 2023 after a spell out of contention. Brandes made his professional debut on 17 March 2023, starting at centreâÂÂback in a 2âÂÂ0 Eerste Divisie defeat to Almere City. He scored his first league goal on 18 September 2023, opening the scoring for Jong Ajax in a 5âÂÂ2 loss to Jong AZ.
He departed Ajax upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 season.
On 20 August 2025, Brandes signed a one-year contract with Serie B side Pescara.