Borussia Dortmund has announced its first summer transfer, securing the services of promising central defender Joane Gadou. The 19-year-old joins from RB Salzburg after successfully passing his medical examination.
While initial reports suggested RB Salzburg was seeking a higher fee than the previously agreed-upon 20 million Euros, demanding around 25 million Euros plus bonuses, Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director Ole Book and Lars Ricken reportedly intervened. According to reports, a transfer fee of 19.5 million Euros has now been agreed upon, with potential bonuses reaching up to 4.5 million Euros. Gadou has signed a five-year contract with the club.
«We have known Joane for a long time and have been monitoring him since his time at Paris Saint-Germain. Joane will strengthen us and will take on an important role right from the start of the new season. We are convinced of his qualities and see enormous sporting development potential in him,» stated Ricken in a press release. Book added, «Joane is a modern and physically strong central defender. He has good build-up play, is extremely fast, and simultaneously has room for development. With his abilities, Joane is an optimal addition to our defense.»
Gadou himself expressed his excitement: «I am incredibly happy to be part of the BVB family in the future and can hardly wait to wear the black and yellow jersey for the first time. Together with my teammates, the entire club, and our incredible fans, I want to be successful in the coming years.»
BVB Acquires Gadou: «Already More Advanced at This Age Than Dayot Upamecano»
Gadou had previously bid farewell to the Salzburg fans, stating on Instagram, «I leave with lasting memories, moments I will never forget, and above all with the wonderful people I have met. My thanks go to the coaches, the staff, my teammates, and everyone at the club who were directly or indirectly part of my time here.»
The 1.95m tall Gadou moved to Austria from the Paris Saint-Germain youth academy in 2024. He played in 33 competitive matches for Salzburg this season and gained international experience in the Europa League.
In Dortmund, the 19-year-old is expected to reinforce a depleted central defense. With the career-ending of Niklas Süle, the long-term injury of Emre Can, and the uncertain future of Nico Schlotterbeck, BVB is actively seeking reinforcements in the defensive midfield.
According to Michael Unverdorben, deputy head of sports at Salzburger Nachrichten, BVB is acquiring a defender in Gadou who is «already more advanced at this age than Dayot Upamecano was.»
«He is certainly Salzburg’s best central defender. It was always known that he would be a big transfer because he simply has incredibly good qualities and huge potential. He is strong in duels and in the air and possesses everything a defender of international caliber needs,» Unverdorben told SPOX in early May.