The Borussia Dortmund handball department has reached an agreement to extend the contract of Japanese player Haruno Sasaki for an additional season. The versatile backcourt player will play for BVB until the summer of 2024.

Sasaki moved to Dortmund from Hokkoku Bank in her homeland in July 2021 but spent months sidelined in her first season due to a slipped disc. “Unfortunately, the injury slowed me down a bit back then, but I’ve now settled in Dortmund. I feel very comfortable here. I’m referring to the team and to the environment too. The whole package is just right,” Sasaki said.

The backcourt player is a firm fixture in the Japan national team, with whom she won a silver medal at the Asian Championships in December 2022. She has so far scored 130 goals in 43 appearances for her national team. The 28-year-old has also developed into an important performer for Borussia Dortmund thanks to her intelligence on the court.

Sporting director Andreas Kuno explained: “We want to develop players, and Haruno has shown in recent months that she can really help us. She can play in all three positions across the backcourt and plays defensively at a high level.”

Head of department Rupert Thiele declared: “We know what we have with Haruno and that we can count on her. She can develop even further in her role. The contract extension was the logical consequence after her good recent performances.”