Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Denmark international Thomas Delaney from Werder Bremen.
Also linked with Premier League clubs, the 26-year-old joins BVB on a four-year deal, with the fee involved reported to be around €20 million plus add-ons.
Having joined Bremen from Copenhagen in January 2017, Delaney had been linked with English clubs such as Everton and Brighton & Hove in the past.
Confronted with an offer from Dortmund, the holding midfielder opted to remain in the Bundesliga and return to the Champions League, where he made 14 appearances for Copenhagen between 2010 and 2016.
“Indeed, it has always been my big wish to play in the Premier League. And I also had offers,” Delaney said in official news release.
“But when Borussia Dortmund called, I did not have to think for too long. BVB for me are one of the top 10 clubs in Europe, and one of the two top clubs in Germany, and the stadium is just the best in all [of] Europe.”
Dortmund are in the middle of a squad rebuild following a difficult two-coach season which saw them edge Leverkusen to the final Champions League spot. They have already signed Augsburg keeper Marvin Hitz on a free transfer and versatile Frankfurt wide-man Marius Wolf for a reported fee of €5m.
Delaney thus is Dortmund’s biggest transfer of the summer so far, and BVB hope the Denmark international, who will represent his country in Russia this summer, can bring a new mentality to the pitch.
“Thomas Delaney is a physically strong player with a strong character, who will be a great fit for our squad and all of BVB with his open character and his pronounced desire to win,” BVB sporting director Michael Zorc said of the son of an American father and Danish mother.
“He will enrich our match with his physical presence.”
Delaney played 45 Bundesliga games for Werder Bremen. He has won 26 caps for Denmark and has played in both the Champions League and Europa League for Copenhagen.
Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.
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