Borussia Dortmund Transfer Window Overview 2022/23
The 2022 summer transfer window was a period of significant change for German giants Borussia Dortmund, who were made to deal with the departure of one of football’s hottest properties and arguably their best performer of the last couple of years.
However, with the money they earned from that sale, the Black and Yellows reinvested in necessary replacements, some experienced Bundesliga players and in some of German football’s brightest talents.
(All following transfer fees via transfermarkt.com)
Out: Erling Haaland – Manchester City (€60m)
Son of former Premier League stalwart Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling Haaland shot to stardom in Austria with RB Salzburg, with his performances in the UEFA Champions League catching the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs.
In January 2020, Borussia Dortmund brought the Norwegian to Germany and his unprecedented goal-scoring record didn’t let up. Striking up connections with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, the 22-year-old enjoyed a fruitful spell at Signal Iduna Park, scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances, averaging almost a goal per game in a stint that also saw the striker win the DFB Pokal.
With a third place and two second place finishes in his three years as a BVB player, Haaland’s interest was always on the rise and this summer, his release clause was triggered by Manchester City, one of his father’s former clubs, and whom he supported growing up. Seemingly a perfect fit for the Premier League champions, he is almost a guaranteed success in England.
Welcome home, @ErlingHaaland! 📍 pic.twitter.com/IS2l0XXyzd
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 13, 2022
In: Sébastien Haller – Ajax (€31m)
A player who wasn’t so successful in England, Haller arrives in Dortmund with some previous Bundesliga experience. The striker netted 20 times across all competitions in a successful 2018/19 season at Eintracht Frankfurt, which attracted interest for the Ivory Coast international from the Premier League.
Joining West Ham for a hefty price tag, Haller didn’t quite meet expectations in London, but upon leaving, he immediately showed his ability with a phenomenal campaign at Ajax, in which he netted 34 times in 43 appearances, including 11 in eight Champions League appearances.
Arguably in the form of his career, many are tipping the 28-year-old to be a worthy Haaland replacement. For now, before life at BVB gets started, he will undergo treatment for testicular cancer. We are sending all of our support to Sebastien.
In: Karim Adeyemi – RB Salzburg (€30m)
It’s far from a simple task, replacing one of world football’s most prolific number nines, but another option that the Black and Yellows now have in their armoury is the latest pacy forward to come from RB Salzburg’s seemingly endless production line.
Karim Adeyemi netted 19 goals in 24 league starts in Austria last season, form which saw the 20-year-old earn a call-up to the German national team, for whom he bagged a debut goal against Armenia. Able to play on the wings too, this seems a smart pickup from the club.
Erling Haaland for Red Bull Salzburg:
◉ 27 games
◉ 29 goals
◉ 5 assistsKarim Adeyemi for Red Bull Salzburg:
◉ 92 games
◉ 33 goals
◉ 16 assistsBVB are loyal customers. 😅 pic.twitter.com/DXAthghj5g
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 10, 2022
In: Anthony Modeste – 1. FC Köln (€5.1m)
After the saddening news of Haller’s illness, BVB acted quickly to bring in another option up front. Arriving for a relatively cheap fee, the signing of Anthony Modeste seems quite low risk, as the Frenchman arrives with plenty of Bundesliga experience from Köln. The 34-year-old has bagged over 80 goals in just less than 200 appearances in Germany’s top flight.
Out: Manuel Akanji – Manchester City (€17.5m)
With just a year left on his deal at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund also opted to let go of Manuel Akanji in the summer, after four years at the club. The Swiss international played over 150 times in black and yellow, and was a first team regular since his arrival from Basel. He joins Haaland, and other former Dortmund players Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Gomez in Manchester.
Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City have agreed to terms over the transfer of Manuel Akanji.
We wish you the best of luck in England! pic.twitter.com/Tnzjc2gNTT
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) September 1, 2022
In: Nico Schlotterbeck – Freiburg (€20m)
That deal may not seem incredible from a BVB perspective, given the fee, however, the club acted quickly to reinforce their backline. 22-year-old Nico Schlotterbeck enjoyed the season of his career in 2021/22, impressing for high-flying Freiburg, delivering a man of the match performance in the Pokal final, while becoming a Germany international earlier this year. He could prove to be a bargain.
In: Niklas Süle – Bayern Munich (Free)
Speaking of bargains, upon the expiry of his contract at Bayern Munich, Niklas Süle also opted to swap the Allianz Arena for the Westfalenstadion, after five strong title-winning years in Bavaria. A 40-time German international, the 27-year-old is exactly what Dortmund needed, if they’re to maintain a title push this season.
Niklas Süle – Defender – Borussia Dortmund pic.twitter.com/S78Ko8uP38
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) July 1, 2022
In: Salih Özcan – 1. FC Köln (€5m)
At just 24 years old, already with almost 100 Bundesliga appearances, Salih Özcan also promises to be a smart signing for the future from Borussia Dortmund. With great physicality, the Turkey international helped Köln seal European qualification last season and for just €5m, is a great squad option for BVB, providing competition for Emre Can.
Out: Roman Bürki – St. Louis City (Free), Marwin Hitz – FC Basel (Free)
Upon his 2015 arrival, Swiss international Roman Bürki went on to play over 230 times as Borussia Dortmund’s number one. However, injury problems seemed to harm his form, as he made just one appearance last season. He now embarks on a new chapter in his career, joining new MLS franchise St. Louis City.
Marwin Hitz became a household Bundesliga name in his time at Augsburg. In 2018, he joined Dortmund on a free transfer to play understudy to Burki. With the injuries to his fellow Swiss shot-stopper, Hitz earned a run in the BVB side in 2021, but then was benched again by Gregor Kobel last season. He has now returned to his native Switzerland with Basel, as Edin Terzic seeks fresh faces in his GK union.
In: Marcel Lotka – Hertha Berlin (Free), Alexander Meyer – Jahn Regensburg (Free)
Poland is another country which has produced countless talented goalkeepers. Marcel Lotka is the latest of these, a 21-year-old who enjoyed a breakthrough year last term at Hertha, whom he helped keep in the Bundesliga.
Another goalkeeper who arrives at Signal Iduna Park on a free transfer, Alexander Meyer earned his plaudits in the second tier last season with Jahn Regensburg; his seven clean sheets helped his side avoid relegation, while he also helped them win three penalty shootouts on the way to the Pokal quarter-finals in 2021. Both ‘keepers will aim to provide competition for Kobel.
Out: Axel Witsel – Atletico Madrid (Free)
A 124-time Belgium international, Axel Witsel ended his four-year stay at Dortmund this summer. A regular in black and yellow, the midfielder helped BVB reach the Champions League quarter-finals and win the Pokal in 2021, but an underwhelming campaign last year meant that the club didn’t opt to extend his contract. Dortmund now look to the future with Özcan.
Out: Steffen Tigges – 1. FC Köln (€1.5m), Dan-Axel Zagadou – Released
After impressing for Borussia Dortmund II, Tigges showed promise with three goals off the bench for the first team last season, but injuries halted his development. Köln should be a good place for him to kickstart his career.
Similarly, plenty of anticipation was placed upon the shoulders of PSG academy product Dan-Axel Zagadou when he arrived at Dortmund in 2017. A quick, powerful defender, the 23-year-old struggled badly with injuries and could never secure a starting position. Like Witsel, Burki and Hitz, the club chose not to extend his deal this summer.
Full List:
Ins:
Sébastien Haller – Ajax (€31m)
Karim Adeyemi – RB Salzburg (€30m)
Nico Schlotterbeck – Freiburg (€20m)
Anthony Modeste – 1. FC Köln (€5.1m)
Salih Özcan – 1. FC Köln (€5m)
Niklas Süle – Bayern Munich (Free)
Marcel Lotka – Hertha Berlin (Free)
Alexander Meyer – Jahn Regensburg (Free)
Outs:
Erling Haaland – Manchester City (€60m)
Manuel Akanji – Manchester City (€17.5m)
Steffen Tigges – 1. FC Köln (€1.5m)
Axel Witsel – Atletico Madrid (Free)
Roman Bürki – St. Louis City (Free)
Marwin Hitz – FC Basel (Free)
Dan-Axel Zagadou – Released
