Germany national defender Waldemar Anton joins Borussia Dortmund from VfB Stuttgart

The 27-year-old, who was part of the German national team's European Championship squad and most recently played in the quarter-finals against Spain, signed a contract on Monday that runs until June 30, 2028.

"I'm really looking forward to my first game at Signal Iduna Park, the fans and my teammates. I originally had no intention of changing clubs - but then Borussia Dortmund came along. A top club that had just reached the Champions League final. That shows the potential this club has.

"From the very beginning, everyone in charge at BVB gave me the feeling that they really wanted to sign me and that I could and should play an important role. I'm really looking forward to it," said the defender.

Anton, who has made 196 Bundesliga appearances, was trained at Hannover 96's youth performance center and moved to Stuttgart in the summer of 2020, where he became a key player. Last season, he played a major role in his team's surprising runner-up finish, conceding the fewest goals after champions Leverkusen.

In March 2024, the defender made his debut for the national team and subsequently played three more international matches. Anton will join the BVB squad at the end of July and travel to the training camp in Bad Ragaz (Switzerland).

"Waldemar Anton has developed into a top defender in the Bundesliga, both in terms of his sporting ability and personality, and has recently led his club into the Champions League," said Borussia Dortmund's sports director, Lars Ricken, adding: "This summer, Waldemar had first-class transfer options both nationally and internationally. We are happy that he has decided to join Borussia Dortmund after intensive and good discussions."

Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl emphasised: "Waldemar is a first-class central defender and a real asset for us. He is tactically well-trained, robust, strong in the air and is an absolute leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room, who has a positive internal influence and always strives for the maximum possible success. As an ambitious German international, he is a perfect fit for us and we are very happy that we have been able to inspire him to join us on our journey together."