Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund have strengthened their central midfield by signing preferred candidate Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich. The 29-year-old vice-captain of the Austrian national team completed his medical check in Dortmund today and subsequently signed a contract that is valid until 30 June 2027.

Sabitzer will link up with the BVB squad, who departed to play a series of friendly fixtures in the USA on Monday, on Tuesday, as will BVB’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

Kehl declared: “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.”

In his career so far, Sabitzer has made 185 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig and Bayern (34 goals, 29 assists), 32 in the UEFA Champions League (four goals, seven assists), 29 in the UEFA Europa League (five goals, two assists) and 71 internationals (14 goals). Last season he played on loan for Premier League club Manchester United between February and May until he sustained an injury (18 games in all competitions, three goals).

Marcel Sabitzer said: “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. 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.”