Borussia sign Austrian Marcel Sabitzer on four-year deal

 German football club Borussia Dortmund have signed Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on a four-year deal.

According to Borussia Dortmund's website, "Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund have strengthened their central midfield by signing preferred candidate Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich. The 29-year-old vice-captain of the Austrian national team completed his medical check in Dortmund today and subsequently signed a contract that is valid until June 2027."

"Sabitzer will link up with the BVB squad, who departed to play a series of friendly fixtures in the USA on Monday, on Tuesday, as will BVB's sporting director Sebastian Kehl."

Marcel Sabitzer can play in a multitude of roles, including attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, winger and second striker.

Sabitzer began his professional career in Austria with Admira Wacker and Rapid Wien. He joined German club RB Leipzig in 2014 and was immediately loaned to Red Bull Salzburg for a season.

Sabitzer made more than 200 appearances for RB Leipzig before Bayern Munich signed him in 2021 for a reported transfer fee of 16 million euro,

Sabitzer represented Austria at multiple youth international levels and made his senior international debut at the age of 18 in 2012. He has earned over 70 caps for Austria and played at UEFA Euro 2016 and UEFA Euro 2020.

As per Borussia Dortmund's website, sporting director Kehl said: "Marcel is an experienced player who has been playing at the top international level for years. He fits the profile that we were looking for exactly: a central midfielder who will strengthen us both defensively and offensively as a box-to-box player. Marcel is physically strong and also carries an immense goal threat. We're convinced that he will also become an important pillar of our team thanks to his personality and will help us to be even more effective, especially in hard-fought matches."

In his career so far, Sabitzer has made 185 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig and Bayern (34 goals, 29 assists), 32 in the UEFA Champions League (four goals, seven assists), 29 in the UEFA Europa League (five goals, two assists) and 71 internationals (14 goals).

Last season he played on loan for Premier League club Manchester United between February and May until he sustained an injury (18 games in all competitions, three goals).