Borussia Dortmund have signed Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich, with the Austria international putting pen to paper on a four-year contract with the Bundesliga giants.
The 29-year-old spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Manchester United, making 18 appearances for the club, scoring three times and contributing one assist.
There had been suggestions that Man United were interested in a permanent deal for the midfielder, with Bayern planning to sell him during the summer market.
Dortmund have now announced a deal for the Austrian, though, and Sabitzer has revealed his delight at making the move to the Black and Yellows.
"I can hardly wait to finally join the team and wear the BVB jersey. The talks with the Borussia Dortmund management were outstanding and have shown me how ambitious the club wants to be in the coming years," he told the club's official website after the move was confirmed.
© Reuters
"I would like to play my part in ensuring that BVB achieve their objectives and have every reason to celebrate something special with their fans again as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl added: "Marcel is an experienced player who has been playing at the top international level for years.
"He fits the profile that we were looking for exactly: a central midfielder who will strengthen us both defensively and offensively as a box-to-box player. Marcel is physically strong and also carries an immense goal threat.
"We're convinced that he will also become an important pillar of our team thanks to his personality and will help us to be even more effective, especially in hard-fought matches."
© Reuters
New Dortmund teammate Julian Brandt also revealed his delight at the switch.
"What he has achieved in recent years speaks for itself. I welcome him with open arms because I believe he is an added value for us," Brant told Sport1 when asked about the transfer.
Sabitzer arrived at RB Leipzig from Rapid Vienna in 2014, and he made 229 appearances for the club, scoring 52 goals and registering 42 assists, before moving to Bayern.
The midfielder represented the Munich giants on 54 occasions, but he largely found it difficult to make his mark at Allianz Arena, only managing two goals and two assists.
Dortmund will continue their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a friendly against San Diego Loyal on Thursday evening before facing Man United on Sunday night.
