Highly rated Borussia Dortmund forward Ansgar Knauff signs first professional contract

Borussia Dortmund have handed highly rated winger Ansgar Knauff his first professional contract which will keep him at the club until 2023.

Ansgar Knauff has enjoyed an impressive rise over the last 18 months and is considered to be one of Borussia Dortmund’s most talented academy graduates. On the back of impressive performances for the Borussia Dortmund U-19s, the 18 year old was called up to train with the first team for the pre-season training camp in Bad Ragaz in August.

His impressive performances during pre-season helped him get a taste of first-team action. And he has made the bench for three of Borussia Dortmund’s games already this season.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the Black and Yellows moved swiftly to hand him a new deal. Knauff’s first professional contract will keep him at Borussia Dortmund until 2023, and he is rated highly by the club’s youth coordinator Lars Ricken.

“His acceleration and speed are outstanding, but he is also clever on the ball and has good finishing qualities,” Ricken said. “We are very satisfied with Ansgar’s development.”

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Knauff will initially play for Borussia Dortmund II in the coming weeks, as they aim to continue their promotion push in the fourth division of German football. But injuries to first team players could prompt Lucien Favre into calling him up for first team duty.

Knauff has made five appearances for Borussia Dortmund II so far this season, and scored his first goal in the 5-1 win over Schalke 04 II earlier this month. After signing his contract, Knauff said that his goal is to play for Der BVB in the Bundesliga. “I am convinced that I can develop very well here. I will continue to give my all for my goal of playing for BVB in the Bundesliga”.

Knauff is primarily a winger, but is also capable of playing at right wing-back.