Jan-Niklas Beste came through the reserve sides of Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen and had loan spells at Emmen and Jahn Regensburg before finding his level at Heidenheim, where a season of 12 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga persuaded Benfica to sign him in July 2024 on a five-year contract.

He is a left-footed wide player, most often a left winger or left midfielder, whose main strengths are his crossing and his set-piece delivery.

His time in Lisbon was brief. He made 22 appearances in the first half of 2024/25, scoring twice in the Taça de Portugal, but injuries and the change of manager limited his impact and he was sold to SC Freiburg at the end of the January window. He played 13 Bundesliga matches for Freiburg over the rest of the season.

He has represented Germany at youth level only.