Borussia Dortmund news roundup: Schmelzer had knee surgery, Schürrle’s contract terminated

Borussia Dortmund have announced that Marcel Schmelzer has undergone knee surgery, while Andre Schürrle’s contract has been terminated.

Marcel Schmelzer to be out for several months

Borussia Dortmund will have to make do without Marcel Schmelzer for several months, after the left-back underwent surgery on his injured knee. The 32 year old was linked with a summer move away from the Black and Yellows, but will now spend the next few months in rehab.

Schmelzer suffered his injury during the final training session before the penultimate game of the season against Leipzig. Borussia Dortmund expect him to return to action this year. Schmelzer, who has been with the club since 2005, has entered the final year of his current contract with Der BVB.

Andre Schürrle leaves Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund have also announced that they have agreed to a mutual termination of Andre Schürrle’s contract, one year before it was due to expire. The midfielder spent the last two seasons on loan (at Fulham and Spartak Moscow), after being told that he had no future at the Signal Iduna Park.

The 29 year old became Borussia Dortmund’s record signing when he joined from Wolfsburg in 2016, but wasn’t able to make much of an impact during the two years he spent at the club.

The BVB bosses were keen to shed Schürrle’s annual salary of 7 million euros from their wage bill, and a mutual termination of his contract suits all parties. It remains to be seen where the former German international will play next season. Recently, he was linked with a move to newly promoted Serie A side Benevento.