Matthias Ginter to Borussia Dortmund: Latest Transfer Details and Reaction
July 17, 2014Germany World Cup winner Matthias Ginter has been signed by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract from SC Freiburg.
The 20-year-old centre-back's move was confirmed by Dortmund's official Twitter feed on Thursday:
He started every game for Freiburg as they finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season and Squawka provides his impressive stats for the term highlighting his ability in the air:
Tom Adams on Eurosport reports the transfer fee at a reported £8 million (€10 million) while also relaying Ginter's assertions that the move is a dream come true for him:
For me, today is a childhood dream come true. I was always a great BVB fan and will now wear the jersey of my favourite team. At Dortmund, I would like to take the next step in my sporting development. I am already looking forward to the incredible atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park and then be part of this wonderful team.
The youngest player in Joachim Low's 23-man squad that beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2014 World Cup on Sunday, Ginter did not actually play any part in the competition.
However, he looks set to become a future star at both club and international level and joins Neven Subotiv, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and compatriot Mats Hummels as Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp's centre-back options.
Indeed, the Mirror's Alex Richards speculates that Ginter's arrival may pave the way for Hummels' exit after much speculation concerning a potential move to Manchester United, per the Express' Anthony Chapman:
Chapman reports Hummels to be the potential subject of £20 million bids from both United and Barcelona, and his exit would likely guarantee Ginter more regular first-team football.
At such a young age, Klopp is unlikely to give him the number of starting berths he was accustomed to at Freiburg but he has shown he can handle such a task after impressing in 2013-14.
He is undoubtedly a star in the making and Dortmund look to have done very well in snapping him up as he could become a stalwart of their defensive unit for years to come.