Borussia Dortmund have filled their vacant centre-back spot by signing Waldemar Anton from Stuttgart until 2028. The Champions League runners-up confirmed the addition of the former Stuttgart captain on Monday, with reports suggesting that Dortmund triggered Anton’s release clause of 22.5 million euros. Anton, who received his first Germany call-up in March, joins Dortmund alongside his German teammates Nico Schlotterbeck, Niclas Fuellkrug, and Emre Can.
In a statement, Anton expressed his surprise at joining Dortmund, stating that he had no intention of changing clubs until the opportunity at Dortmund came along. The 27-year-old defender highlighted Dortmund’s potential as a top club that had recently reached the Champions League final. Anton’s arrival comes after the departure of veteran defender Mats Hummels in June, marking a shift in Dortmund’s recruitment strategy towards experienced international players.
Sebastian Kehl, Dortmund’s sporting director, praised Anton as an ambitious German international who is a perfect fit for the club. He expressed the club’s happiness at convincing Anton to join their journey together. Anton’s signing is another blow for Stuttgart, who have recently lost key players like Hiroki Ito to Bayern Munich. The club faces the challenge of rebuilding their squad after an impressive season that saw them finish as Bundesliga runners-up and qualify for the Champions League.
Stuttgart had gone from relegation candidates to a top Bundesliga team under coach Sebastian Hoeness, but they will now have to cope with the departure of Anton and other key players. Besides Anton, Dortmund has been active in the transfer market, bringing in experienced internationals to strengthen their squad. This strategy reflects Dortmund’s ambitions to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions.
Anton’s addition bolsters Dortmund’s defensive options and provides further depth to their squad as they prepare for the upcoming season. His experience at both club and international level will be valuable for Dortmund as they aim to challenge for major honours in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The signing of Anton is a statement of intent from Dortmund, signaling their determination to build a competitive team capable of challenging for silverware.
Overall, Waldemar Anton’s move to Borussia Dortmund is a significant transfer for both clubs, with Dortmund gaining a talented defender and Stuttgart facing the challenge of replacing a key player. The transfer underlines Dortmund’s commitment to strengthening their squad with experienced internationals, while Stuttgart will need to regroup and rebuild after losing Anton and other key players. As Anton embarks on a new chapter in his career at Dortmund, fans will be eager to see how he adapts to his new surroundings and contributes to the team’s success on the pitch.
