Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich centre-back Niklas Sule on a free transfer. The German will finish the season with the title-chasing Bavarians before linking up with his new teammates in July.
The tables have turned. Borussia, so often the victim of Bayern Munich’s all-encompassing juggernaut, have managed to land a blow of their own – finally. In the past, the Bavarians took Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, and Mats Hummels off of Dortmund. This time, BVB have responded by signing Bayern contract rebel Sule for the seasons ahead.
Expected to end up in England after turning down a bumper offer from Bayern, the player, instead, chose to move to rivals Dortmund. The club confirmed his capture, well in advance of the transfer window – on February 7 for the 2022/23 season.
A full-fledged Germany international, the signing of the 26-year-old – still very much in his peak, unlike previous Dortmund signings from Bayern – was seen as a major coup in his homeland. BVB confirmed it with the following statement, released on their social channels the previous night:
“Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sign 26-year-old Germany international ahead of the 2022/23 season. The 1.95m-tall central defender is currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich. His contract with Germany’s record champions will run out in the summer of 2022,”
it read.
BVB sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed Sule had signed a four-year deal with the club, keeping him at the Westfalenstadion until June 2026. Sebastien Kehl, former Dortmund captain, and Zorc’s successor, expressed his delight at getting the deal over the line.
“Niklas has shown during the course of personal talks that he is really keen on Borussia Dortmund. He possesses a lot of experience, composure in his build-up play, and the necessary physicality to take the next step with us from this summer onwards,”
he said.
Sule came through the TSG Hoffenheim academy before making more than 100 appearances for the side. He signed for perennial Bundesliga champions Bayern ahead of the 2017/18 season for an undisclosed fee; Bayern beat competition from the likes of Chelsea on that occasion.
The centre-back ended up making over 150 appearances for the Bavarians, winning five league titles and the 2019/20 Champions League title – among other pieces of silverware.
