Dortmund confirm Özcan signing

Salih Özcan has officially joined Borussia Dortmund from FC Köln.

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Salih Özcan from Bundesliga rivals FC Köln.

The defensive midfielder has put pen to paper on a contract until 2026 with ‘Die Schwarzgelben’.

According to Kicker, Dortmund paid €5 million to sign Özcan via a release clause.

“Salih Özcan was one of the rising stars of this last Bundesliga season and made a key contribution to Cologne’s successful season in central defensive midfield. He is a player who is incredibly strong in the tackle and the air. Someone who is prepared to do the dirty work and is uncompromising in his bid to help his team succeed. His mentality and physicality, coupled with his intelligence, will do our team good,” said Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

Özcan, who turned down interest from domestic and international clubs to sign for BVB, commented:

“1. FC Cologne are my hometown club and I owe them a great deal. There are very few clubs I would’ve left my town for. Borussia Dortmund’s energy, which one can literally feel, plus the opportunity to play regularly in the Champions League, ultimately led me to my decision.

“I’m very happy to be able to continue my development at BVB in front of more than 81,000 spectators and to help the team in the Bundesliga and the Champions League with my style of football. I’m very ambitious and willing to give everything to this end.”

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