Skip to content

Gotze completes Dortmund homecoming from Bayern

Darren Staples / Reuters

Mario Gotze has ended a three-year stay with Bayern Munich to return to where it all started at Borussia Dortmund.

The transfer fee is worth around €26 million plus performance related bonuses, according to German publication Kicker, with the club confirming the contract ties the adroit midfielder to the Westfalenstadion until 2020.

The move is subject to a medical, and he is then due to start training with Der BVB at the beginning of August.

"Mario is a Dortmund lad, he's one of the best creative midfielders in Europe and only 24," said Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. "He had several options and consciously opted to return to his hometown club, a path which will certainly not be easy."

Despite being born in Bavaria, Gotze joined the Dortmund academy at the age of eight, eventually emerging as a first-team regular and nuisance of Bundesliga defences under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp.

In 2013 he moved to rival Bayern in a transfer which upset a large contingent of Dortmund supporters. Gotze has vowed to win back the fans' adulation with his performances on the pitch.

"Three years on, and now 24, I look at it from a different view," said Gotze. "I can understand that many fans were not able to relate to my decision. I wouldn't repeat it from where I am today.

"When I now return to my home, I want to try to convince all people with my performances, especially those who will not welcome me with open arms. It's my goal to play my best football again. For us all, the club and the BVB fans."

The fleet-footed Germany international was linked to a reunion with Klopp at Liverpool, but preferred to stay in his homeland. He famously scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, but failed to live up to expectations at the Allianz Arena. Last season, injuries and a falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola meant he made just 11 top-flight starts, and under new Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti it was soon evident the mercurial performer didn't feature prominently in the Italian's plans either.

The deal marks the second recruit from Bayern this summer, after Sebastian Rode penned a four-year Dortmund contract in June. Mats Hummels went the other way to end a superb eight-and-a-half years in North Rhine-Westphalia.

With Gotze expected to be training in a couple weeks, his first competitive outing back at Dortmund could be Aug. 14 against Bayern in the DFL-Supercup.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox