Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of 22-year-old central-defender Nico Schlotterbeck from fellow Bundesliga side Freiburg for a reported €25 million. The Germany international has signed a contract until 2027.
Schlotterbeck is a primarily a ball-carrier, although left-footed, he is good with both feet, he is exceptional at reading the game and has the perfect physique to be a central-defender. His long passing is excellent and he’s great at intercepting the ball and unsurprisingly for his 1.91m height, the German has strong ability heading the ball.
“Nico’s path reminds me a little of my own, because I also came to BVB from Freiburg at the same age as a young international player. I hope that Dortmund will become a new home for him, just as it was for me back then,” said incoming Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl.
With the signing of Niklas Süle and now Schlotterbeck, Manuel Akanji is also likely on his way out if BVB receive an interesting offer for the Swiss defender, whilst Dan-Axel Zagadou’s contract expires at the end of the season.
With Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck in the backline, one of the best ever defenders at BVB, former World Cup winner Jürgen Kohler, as quoted last week in Bild Zeitung, last this new defensive line-up is starting to look like ‘a backline to win a title’.
