The Dutchwoman Tess Lieder will join the Borussia Dortmund women’s handballers in the summer. She has signed a contract with the Black & Yellows until 30 June 2025 and will form the goalkeeping duo together with the already signed Sara Wachter.

Tess Lieder (formerly Wester) last played for Romanian club CSM Bucuresti, for whom she made her most recent competitive appearance in the 2021/22 season. She then took a break and became a mother for the first time last year. Borussia will be her third club in the Bundesliga, having already plied her trade for VfL Oldenburg (2011-15) and SG BBM Bietigheim (2015-18). The Dutchwoman became a world champion in December 2019 and was voted into the All-Star Team at the World Cup. The goalkeeper is also a two-time national champion: she won the German title with Bietigheim in 2017 and the Danish one with Odense Håndbold in 2021.

“There has already been contact with BVB once in the past and I’m happy that it’s now worked out. It’s great to have become a mother. But I’ve really missed handball. We’ll have a great team. In addition, I know Henk Groener from the national team. It’s a very good fit. Both the club and I have big ambitions,” Lieder said.

Andreas Kuno, the sporting director of the women’s handball team, explained: “I don’t have to say anything about Tess’ sporting qualities. With her, we will be getting a player who has an unbelievable amount of experience and will help us enormously. I’m therefore delighted she’s decided to join us.”

Head of department Rupert Thiele emphasised: “Tess has become a world champion, has taken part in many tournaments and played many matches in the Champions League. I’m very happy that we could complete this transfer. We believe we are very well-positioned in goal for the next two years.”