Highly rated youngster Ansgar Knauff to train with Borussia Dortmund first team

Talented winger Ansgar Knauff will start training with the Borussia Dortmund first team squad after impressing for the U-19s.

Ruhr Nachrichten reported earlier today that Knauff will spend the pre-season training with the Borussia Dortmund senior team. The report was confirmed by Michael Zorc, who told Kicker that the 18 year old will get the chance to prove himself in training and earn a spot in the first team squad for the coming season.

"Zorc said, “Knauff is a very talented, young offensive player with good speed and dribbling skills. Now he’s going to do the preparation first, then we’ll see what happens next.”"

Despite his potential, Zorc does not want to put too many expectations on Knauff. And it remains to be seen whether he will be the next talented youngster to come from the Borussia Dortmund academy and play for the first team.

Knauff is coming off an impressive campaign with the Borussia Dortmund U-19s. He played in 18 of the team’s 20 games in the U-19 Bundesliga West, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the process. He also played seven games in the UEFA Youth League, scoring a brace in the 2-1 win over Inter Milan.

Knauf is not be the only player to be promoted from the U-19s squad. Highly rated striker Youssoufa Moukoko will also be training with the first team squad when they start preparations for the new season from July 30. Moukoko will be eligible to make his debut for the senior team when he turns 16 in November.

Meanwhile, another youngster has signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund. Sergio Gomez, who spent last season on loan with SD Huesca, has signed a new one year deal and will be returning to Spain for another loan spell with the newly promoted side.