Freiburg star heads to BVB
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of Freiburg central defender Nico Schlotterbeck on a five-year contract, beginning when he moves clubs at the end of the season. The transfer fee for the 22-year-old star is reportedly worth around €25 million, with €20m up front and a further €5m in future fees, according to Bild and Sport1.
The Germany international has been heavily linked with a move to the Westfalenstadion side for much of the season and following reports on Monday of a deal being struck, Dortmund then confirmed the news with a press statement on their website. “Nico Schlotterbeck is a young German international who has made great progress. His profile fits BVB perfectly,” stated Borussia Dortmund’s outgoing sporting director Michael Zorc, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
“Nico’s path reminds me of my own, because I also came to BVB from Freiburg as a young national player of his age,” said incoming Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl. “I hope that Dortmund will become a new home for him, just like it was for me then. Nico has huge potential. He didn’t choose the best offer from among the many interested clubs, but deliberately chose BVB in order to further develop his sporting skills here. We are very pleased that we were able to convince Nico of our path and that he made a clear commitment to Borussia Dortmund by signing a long-term contract.”
A busy summer awaits – Dortmund make second signing
Schlotterbeck is undoubtedly a big signing for Dortmund but isn’t the club’s first signing of the forthcoming summer transfer window. A few months ago the club announced a deal to sign Bayern Munich central defender Niklas Süle on a pre-contract agreement at the end of the season, when his deal with the Bavarian giants comes to an end.
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 2, 2022
Marco Rose’s side are expected to make a number of high-profile departures in the coming months, with Roman Bürki and Axel Witsel already confirmed as players that will move on after this season. Star striker Erling Haaland is also expected to move to Manchester City for a reported €75m at some point in the summer. In terms of incoming stars, Dortmund remain heavily linked with a move for RB Salzburg forward Karim Adeyemi, who could join the club as a much-needed goalscorer once the aforementioned Norway international departs for England.
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