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A closer look at new Borussia Dortmund signing Donyell Malen

By Brian Szlenk Straub

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 24: Donyell Malen of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v FC Groningen at the Philips Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 24: Donyell Malen of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v FC Groningen at the Philips Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Donyell Malen in action for Arsenal. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images)
Donyell Malen in action for Arsenal. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images) /

Early life and career

Hailing from the Dutch countryside in Wieringen, Donyell Malen got his footballing start under the tutelage of Ajax’s famed academy in 2007. Having joined an academy known for producing top talent, Malen seemed to be in good hands, but the Netherlands international saw his future in England with Arsenal. He made the move to the Premier League side in 2015 to walk in the footsteps of two players he idolized: Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

At the young age of 16, he was already being compared to the aforementioned Henry. A hesitation on Ajax’s part to offer the exciting young striker new terms led to Arsenal pulling the trigger and signing him.

Malen’s time at Arsenal was mainly spent in the youth divisions. He scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists in 24 matches for Arsenal’s U23 outfit. With the youngster seemingly not set for a senior debut, Malen returned to the Eredivisie by signing for PSV Eindhoven. He initially joined their youth team, but after impressing for Jong PSV, he made his senior debut in February of 2018 under now Wolfsburg head coach Mark van Bommel. The rest, as they say, is history. Malen proved that he could live up to his potential and notched a total of 55 goals and provided 24 assists in 116 matches for PSV. Those performances saw him earn a move to Borussia Dortmund.

Malen seemed quite enthusiastic about his move to Borussia Dortmund, stating that:

"“Borussia Dortmund is a top European club that is always at the top of the Bundesliga and has high demands on itself in the Champions League. I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with my new teammates, to be able to measure myself against the best.” – Donyell Malen."

Both Malen’s enthusiasm and the stats revolving around his goal involvement make me think that he is certainly ready to hit the ground running in the Bundesliga. Him finding his feet in the league quickly is certainly something Dortmund will be banking on, especially because Malen is in effect here to replace the output provided by one Jadon Sancho.