Ben Krauhaus: Ready for a New Chapter

New Brentford signing Ben Krauhaus says he’s "excited for what the future holds", as he settles into his new home in west London ahead of the upcoming season.

The 19-year-old signed for the Bees from Bromley in January on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with a 12-month club option.

Krauhaus was loaned back to Bromley for the remainder of the 2023/24 season, when the side earned promotion from non-league to the Football League via the play-offs.

Now a Brentford B player, the teenager feels he has already settled in well as the player returned for pre-season last week.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my first few days at the club, I had to come in a little earlier than everyone else because of my injury, so it was nice to get used to my surroundings before all the boys came in.

“The staff, and players when they arrived, made me feel so welcome so I can’t thank everyone enough and I’m just buzzing to be here.”

Krauhaus impressed for Bromley, with the midfielder featuring in all but one of their 28 league games up to the point of signing for Brentford in January.

The youngster returned to Bromley for the remainder of the season, helping the side to a third-place league finish and a chance of promotion through the play-offs.

Speaking on returning to Bromley, he said: “Everyone was buzzing for me and were happy to have me back for the last part of the season. To go back on loan and help them reach the play-offs was a really proud moment for me, after what was a great season.

“The National League is tough - I think people overlook just how difficult it is - it’s a professional league now so there are a lot of good players. It was great for me to experience that level of competition.

“Playing against physically strong men week in and week out was massively important for my development.”

Krauhaus and Bromley were one game away from a play-off final at Wembley as the side faced Altrincham in the semi-final at Hayes Lane.

At 0-0 and with just 16 minutes into the match, disaster struck for the midfielder when the he fractured his metatarsalafter turning with the ball. The injury not only forced him off the pitch but also ruled him out of the play-off final, where Bromley came from behind to beat Altrincham 3-1.

“To play every single game apart from one during the season, before then getting injured in the semi-finals of the play-offs was heartbreaking,” explained Krauhaus.

“I was obviously buzzing for the lads but, if I’m honest, it was gutting knowing that I wasn’t going to play at Wembley in the final.”

Watching on from the stands, the now-Brentford B player was in full support of Bromley as the side took on Solihull Moors, with promotion into the Football League up for grabs. After 120 minutes, nothing could split the two teams, as the game headed to penalties following a 2-2 full-time result. Bromley earned promotion to League Two for the very first time after winning the shootout 4-3.

Talking about the victory, Krauhaus said: “It was an amazing day, winning made it a lot easier for me; I think if we lost, I would have thought I could have helped the team so I’m over the moon that we managed to get promoted.

“Not a lot of people get promoted in their careers, so to do it this early in mine is something that will forever stay with me and hopefully help me in the future.

“The trophy parade was amazing, seeing all the Bromley fans out of the streets was a great feeling and really rewarding.”

Now over a week into his new environment, Krauhaus continues to work on his recovery and remains positive, feeling he is in a good place, with his comeback to football on the horizon.

He stated: “It’s the first big injury I’ve had; the doctors and physios at the club have been great with me and I’ve built a really good relationship with them.

“They have been clear and realistic with me and have put me on a good rehab programme, so things are looking good right now.

“I’m recovering well and I’m positive I’ll be back out on the grass shortly - I can’t wait to get started in training.”

Krauhaus discussed what he aims to achieve as a Brentford player, as he has set himself short-term goals having coming through the doors at Robert Rowan Performance Centre.

The teenager said: “This is a different type of experience than playing in the National League but, with what I’ve picked up from playing men’s football, I can help the boys with what I’ve learnt.

“I have big goals I want to achieve here: first things first, I need to learn how Neil [MacFarlane] wants me to play, as it will be a lot different to Bromley.

“It’s obviously a dream of mine to push into the first team, but it’s important that I focus on where I am now and continue to work on my recovery.”