Share

Dortmund sign Yarmolenko to replace Dembele

Berlin - Borussia Dortmund wasted no time in signing Ukraine winger Andriy Yarmolenko on Monday - the same day Ousmane Dembele officially joined Barcelona.

"Andriy is a player who we have been following for a long time and who has been playing at a high level for both his club and country," said Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year deal after joining from Dynamo Kiev and reportedly cost Dortmund between €25  and €30 million.

"I am very grateful that Dynamo have fulfilled my dream by allowing me to move to a big European team", said Yarmolenko.

"I will work hard in every training session to help Borussia Dortmund reach their goals."

The transfer is funded by Dembele's move to Barcelona which was confirmed on Monday in a deal set to be worth up to €147 million.

Yarmolenko had been at Dynamo since 2008, scored 137 goals in 339 matches and was voted Ukraine player of the year three times in a row between 2013 and 2015.

His signing comes after confusion reigned on Saturday when head coach Peter Bosz wrongly confirmed interest in Ajax's Kasper Dolberg.

The Dutch coach misheard a question about the Danish forward from Sky pundit and ex-Germany international Christoph Metzelder before Dortmund's 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin.

"We have to see if everything works. I think it will, but nothing is 100 percent sure," Bosz replied, but the club later revealed the Dutch boss thought he was being asked about Dembele's transfer.

Dortmund are doing well without Dembele and Yarmolenko will have to fight for a place.

They have won both league games so far to top the Bundesliga table on goal difference from defending champions Bayern Munich with US international Christian Pulisic impressing in Dembele's place on the right wing.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
64% - 464 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
36% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE