Borussia Dortmund sign goalkeeper Gregor Kobel from VfB Stuttgart
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Gregor Kobel from VfB Stuttgart, with the Swiss goalkeeper signing five year contract with the club.
The Black and Yellows will pay Stuttgart a transfer fee of 15 million euros for Kobel’s signature, making him the second most expensive goalkeeper in Bundesliga history (after Manuel Neuer who joined Bayern Munich for 30 million euros in 2011).
Signing a new goalkeeper was high on Borussia Dortmund’s list of priorities for this summer transfer window. A number of names were linked, but Gregor Kobel quickly emerged as the club’s number one target. And despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, the BVB bosses have managed to complete his signing swiftly.
Kobel said that he is proud to join Borussia Dortmund, and is already looking forward to playing in front of 80,000 fans at the Westfalenstadion.
"“Borussia Dortmund is one of the biggest and most famous clubs in the world. A club that has the ambition to fight for the championship and the DFB-Pokal every year and to play in the Champions League. It makes me proud to be able to play for BVB. I want to play my part in Dortmund’s future successes.”“You can see on the pitch that I’m a very emotional guy. To stand on the pitch in front of more than 80,000 spectators in Dortmund after the pandemic, in this atmosphere – I’m already looking forward to it!”"
Kobel, who joined Stuttgart from TSG Hoffenheim in 2019, is considered to be one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the Bundesliga. The 23 year old played a vital role in helping Stuttgart secure a ninth place finish in the Bundesliga this season. And now he will be Borussia Dortmund’s first choice goalkeeper next season.
Kobel’s arrival very likely means that Roman Bürki will now be sold this summer. Bürki lost his starting spot in the team earlier this season, and is reportedly free to leave for a cut-price fee of five million euros. Marwin Hitz will stay on as the second choice goalkeeper, having recently signed a contract extension until 2023.
dark. Next. What Gregor Kobel will bring to Borussia Dortmund
Kobel becomes Borussia Dortmund’s second signing of the summer transfer window after highly rated defender Soumaila Coulibaly, who will arrive on a free transfer from Paris St. Germain.