Inside Jeremie Frimpong’s rise: hat-tricks in two games on the same day before joining Man City’s academy at the heart and soul of Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title party – and now he’s a key target for Man United

Amid Bayer Leverkusen’s unique celebrations after finally winning a Bundesliga title, Jérémie Frimpong was asked what his secret to a happy life was.

“Just have a smile, enjoy life because you only live once. So while we are on this earth, have fun, love others and give positive energy and then life will be beautiful,” he replied.

Frimpong certainly has something to smile about at the moment. The Dutch right-back played an important role in Leverkusen’s extraordinary season.

Xabi Alonso’s side broke Bayern Munich’s 11-year hold on the Bundesliga title, winning their first ever title and remaining unbeaten.

They could yet add the German Cup and UEFA Europa League to their collection, with the quarter-final second leg against West Ham on Thursday. They lead 2-0.

The winger had an excellent season as Leverkusen finally put an end to decades of injuries.

Frimpong has become a fundamental player for Xabi Alonso, with his perfectly adapted system

Frimpong, 23, went viral this weekend after mocking teammate Granit Xhaka’s failure to win the Premier League at Arsenal, then leaning on broadcaster Archie Rhind-Tutt’s shoulder while by giving a television interview that exuded happiness.

It didn’t take long for him to be linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, with his contract reportedly containing a £34m release clause – if activated before Euro 2024.

If that happens, it would take him back to where his football career began, at Manchester City’s academy.

He didn’t make the first team there, but instead came to prominence at Celtic, where the youngster’s raw pace and tenacity caught him the eye and won plaudits.

But it was after signing for Leverkusen in January 2021 that Frimpong’s career really took off – and notably under the tutelage of Alonso.

Because Frimpong likes to position himself firmly in the opponent’s half, some coaches consider him too offensive to work effectively as a winger.

But his abilities suit Alonso’s favored 3-4-3 system perfectly and while Leverkusen were second in the table when the Spaniard took over in October 2022, they are now transformed.

In truth, Frimpong gradually retreated on the field. He was a striker when he started at Clayton FC in east Manchester at the age of eight, shortly after his mother Bernice and her seven children left the Netherlands for the United Kingdom in 2007.

Jérémie Frimpong’s jubilant interview after his Bundesliga victory went viral

His older brother Jeffrey used to offer incentives for scoring goals – money to put towards buying a PS3 – but this became quite expensive when Jérémie started scoring 50 a season.

The youngster spoke little English when he moved to Manchester, but made friends playing football, something he always wanted to do.

Some Saturdays he played for AFC Clayton in the morning, then Clayton Villa in the afternoon – he often scored hat-tricks for both.

Blackburn, Bolton and Liverpool were interested, but City’s academy not only offered opportunities but was also close to Frimpong’s home.

Mind you, this still required taking three buses so mum Bernice, when she wasn’t working multiple jobs to feed the family, was traveling with her little football prodigy, the couple enjoying chicken and chips after training sessions .

Frimpong quickly rose through the ranks of City’s youth team and appeared in two FA Youth Cup finals – but the path to Pep Guardiola’s first team was far from clear.

“I think when I was in the under-23s at City I remember signing a new contract and that’s when I knew my path at City was different,” said Frimpong at SportBible earlier this year.

“They were talking about how I couldn’t make the team and comparing me to other academy players who were doing better than me.

Frimpong (left) in action for Manchester City’s Under-23 team against Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka

It was following a £300,000 move from City to Celtic that Frimpong’s career really took off.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, I clearly don’t have a future here,’ so I need to take a different step.”

Celtic replaced him in September 2019 and a £300,000 move north of the border provided the springboard for Frimpong’s career.

On his debut in senior football, in a Scottish League Cup tie against Partick Thistle, he was man of the match.

He was rewarded with a starting place in the final against Rangers but was sent off for a foul on Alfredo Morelos in the box. Luckily for Frimpong, Morelos missed and Celtic won 1-0.

Fans voted him Celtic Young Player of the Year 2019-20 and within 18 months Leverkusen had offered a £10m bid.

23 goals and 31 assists later, Frimpong will now forever be etched in Leverkusen history as part of the team that lifted a 119-year curse.

Frimpong saw red for Celtic against Rangers in the 2019-20 Scottish League Cup final

But Celtic won the final 1-0, meaning Frimpong’s (left) red card didn’t cost them much.

His dribbling and chance creations have reached new heights this season in a winning team, with Alonso’s three-man defense providing him with the opportunity to go forward.

Eligible to play for the Netherlands, Ghana and England, Frimpong was part of Louis van Gaal’s Dutch squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but did not take the field.

Ronald Koeman handed him his debut in a Euro 2024 qualifier against France in October 2023, shortly after upsetting him by refusing a call-up for the Under-21 Euros.

Frimpong has played twice for the Netherlands, including against Scotland in March.

Frimpong made his second appearance in the 4-0 win over Scotland in March and his form at Leverkusen makes him a strong contender to feature at the European Championship this summer.

His club contract runs until 2028 but interest in Frimpong will only intensify and his value could well soar with a good Euro.

In the meantime, the carefree Leverkusen winger will keep smiling.