A definitive decision has been made regarding Nico Schlotterbeck’s future at Borussia Dortmund.
As announced by BVB on Friday, the central defender has extended his contract with the club until 2031. The sports magazine *kicker* was the first to report the end of the contract negotiations.
‘I am absolutely delighted to have extended my contract with BVB. I consciously took my time because this is an important decision for me,’ said Schlotterbeck. ‘We had good discussions at all times, and yet it was not a process that was concluded after one or two weeks for me.’ His goal is to ‘win titles together with Borussia Dortmund.’
Sporting Director Lars Ricken, along with the new Sporting Director Ole Book, ultimately finalized the deal. Schlotterbeck had expressed his irritation following Sebastian Kehl’s departure on March 22nd – he had apparently already negotiated the new contract in detail with Kehl. Ricken did not want to set an ultimatum recently, despite the ongoing rumors.
‘The contract extension with Nico Schlotterbeck is of enormous importance,’ stated Managing Director Carsten Cramer. ‘He holds great value for us, both as a player and as a personality. And conversely, Nico equally knows what our club means to him.’
Release Clause and Potentially Lower Salary Than Expected?
Reportedly, Schlotterbeck’s demand for a release clause became the sticking point in the negotiations. According to *kicker*, the national player has now secured the option in his new contract to leave the club for an offer between 50 and 60 million Euros. This figure in that range had previously been reported consistently.
However, the release clause, which was not mentioned in BVB’s announcement, is said to be valid only for a select few clubs. This allows Schlotterbeck the opportunity to recommend himself for an engagement at an absolute top club through strong performances, potentially at the upcoming World Cup. BVB now has planning security in that the 26-year-old cannot leave Dortmund on a free transfer after the upcoming season. In the absence of an agreement, an immediate separation would also have been conceivable.
Meanwhile, Schlotterbeck is set to become one of Borussia’s top earners. *kicker* reports a fixed salary of ten million Euros, which can increase through performance-related bonuses. However, Schlotterbeck will not reach the rumored 14 million Euro annual salary that was recently circulating under any scenario.
An agreement had been on the table around the international break, but Schlotterbeck himself denied it after the German national team’s match against Ghana. Now, however, the contract negotiations have definitively concluded.
Schlotterbeck Arrived Four Years Ago from Freiburg
Schlotterbeck transferred to Dortmund from SC Freiburg in 2022. At BVB, he has developed into an undisputed regular and leading player in his 155 competitive appearances (10 goals). With the national team, national coach Julian Nagelsmann considers him a set central defender in the starting lineup for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, alongside Jonathan Tah of Bayern Munich.
Schlotterbeck had certainly tested the market with his hesitation. However, top European clubs of the highest caliber did not reportedly pursue him intensively. Schlotterbeck’s only title to date is winning the U21 European Championship in 2021.