As Borussia Dortmund begin their pre-season this week, many of their players returned to training after almost two months off.
The club shared their pictures on their social media handle as the BVB stars reported back to work ahead of their first friendly game of the summer against RW Oberhausen on Saturday, 18 July.
Now in yet another step towards preparation, two of their new arrivals were officially handed their jersey numbers as Joane Gadou and Justin Lerma's squad integration is now complete.
Gadou inherits Pulisic and Bellingham number
Signed on a €19.5 million transfer from Red Bull Salzburg, Joane Gadou will don the number 22 jersey. For the past two seasons, the squad number remained unassigned but is now set to make a return in the 2026-27 season.
Dutch international Ian Maatsen was the last player to wear the No.22 at BVB but it has also been adorned by more iconic names such as Christian Pulisic (2015-19) and Jude Bellingham (2020-2023). Marcio Amoroso was another player to have worn 22 number jersey for Dortmund between 2001 and 2004.
Suffice to say, Gadou has a big number to live up to. Although he's just a defender unlike Pulisic and Bellingham who were attackers, the Frenchman would still be entrusted with the task of safeguarding their backline.
Lerma follows Ginter and Witsel
On the other hand, Justin Lerma was handed the 28 number jersey that was left vacant following Aaron Anselmino's return to Chelsea in January with the Argentine donning it for six months at the club during his loan spell.
Roped in on a meager €4 million from Ecuadorian side Independiente, Lerma was signed to fill up the gap left by Julian Brandt's departure although he could play a substitute role if Dortmund sign a more experienced attacking midfielder.
By wearing the 28 number shirt, the 18-year-old teenager would be following in the footsteps of other prominent, former Dortmund midfielders such as Matthias Ginter (2014-2017) and Axel Witsel (2018-2022) both of whom wore the same number shirt at the club during their time at the Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund are back!
Rejoice, everybody! After two long months, Borussia Dortmund return to action this weekend on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The clash in Oberhausen marks their first of only two pre-season games in Germany, with the other being against AS Roma on the last day, 15 August. Inbetween these games, Dortmund are set to fly out to Japan for two games before the Emirates Cup game against Arsenal in London.
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