The Summer Transfer Window is already three weeks deep, and Borussia Dortmund is making some serious waves, bringing in a trio of fresh faces to kick off the club soccer season after a World Cup that saw 11 of our players on the international stage. Our boys are not messing around, locking in some serious youth talent.
The French Wall We Needed
Anyone who knows soccer knows you gotta have a solid French defender to win silverware. Just ask Aymeric Laporte! And with Niklas Süle gone and Nico Schlotterbeck dealing with more and more injuries, Dortmund went out and snagged 19-year-old center-back Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg. This kid cost around $22 million, and his contract runs all the way until 2031, so they’re clearly betting big on him. Gadou is a monster, described as “further ahead at this age than Dayot Upamecano was back then.” That’s not just talk, that’s a statement! He’s set to be our fourth-choice center-back initially, behind Schlotterbeck, Waldermar Anton, and Rami Bensebaini. But with Schlotterbeck’s World Cup injury, Gadou could prove himself super early in the season. Talk about an opportunity to shine for a highly touted star from PSG’s youth ranks who already made a name for himself across two seasons in Salzburg. This signing feels like a steal for our backline.
Filling Gaps with Explosive Talent
Beyond the defense, Dortmund is also shoring up other crucial spots. Remember Daniel Svensson playing 2,452 minutes in 33 matches last season? That was not just because he’s good, but because we had zero depth at left-back. Enter Kauã Prates, a 17-year-old Brazilian left-back from Cruzeiro, who cost about $7 million. Prates is described by former Cruzeiro coach Leonardo Jardim as a “balanced full-back that all coaches like. He is good at set pieces and has both defensive and offensive qualities.” This kid loves to play wide, cross the ball, and defend one-on-one. He’s one for the future, sure, but expect him to grab rotational minutes and push Svensson for that starting spot.
Then there’s Justin Lerma, the 18-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder who finally joins from Independiente Del Valle after being announced back in May 2024. Lerma is touted as high-potential, an explosive midfielder who likes to take shots, dribble, and float around the edge of the box. He already sealed his first goal in preseason, and even though he’s got developing to do, he’s definitely getting rotational minutes this season. Our midfield needs that fresh energy.
The Wildcard Loan
And don’t sleep on Takato Yamamoto, the 18-year-old Japanese midfielder who joined on a one-year loan from Gamba Osaka. He’s probably earmarked for the reserve team this season, but he’s a “baller” by all accounts and highly thought of in Japan. Our midfield definitely lacks depth, and Yamamoto scored in Dortmund’s opening friendly. Coach Kovac even said, “We’ll look forward to working with him. For now, certainly with the reserve team, but that doesn’t mean the door to the first team is closed.” He’s joining the preseason tour in Asia and could make a real name for himself before the season even starts. This kid is a player to watch, no doubt.
So yeah, Dortmund isn’t just signing players; they’re building for the future, and they’re doing it with some serious young talent. These guys are stepping into big shoes and filling crucial depth issues. We’re going to be watching every preseason match, every rumor, to see how these new faces click. The club has put its faith in these young guns, and we can’t wait to see them prove why this season. The future is bright, and it’s starting now!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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