Borussia Dortmund's long-standing policy of promoting academy stars has seen many young guns breakout with the club's senior teams over the years.
In just the last one year, we've seen Samuele Inacio, Luca Reggiani and Mathis Albert coming through the ranks with the youth team of BVB and then breaking into their first-team squad.
Following into their footsteps this season could be Tim Degener.
Degener delivers four-goal performance
Borussia Dortmund II secured a comprehensive 4-2 win over Bocholt in the Regionalliga West on Saturday, powered by a first-half brace from Degener. But he didn't stop there. The 19-year-old proceeded to set up two more, for Daniel Sumbu and Kevin Mutove for their third and fourth goals of the evening respectively.
A central midfielder by trade, Degener has been making waves for his fearless attacking style as well as his ability to pick out teammates in dangerous positions and dictate their game's rhythm. BVB's youth coach Daniel Rios hailed the young gun for consistently improving.
"Goals and assists are the crowning achievement. Over the past few weeks, Tim – just like the team – has improved steadily. You could already see in the past games that he's always a threat in front of goal. I'm happy that he's been rewarded for the effort he always puts in."
Prior to this, Degener was also on target against FC Koln II in August while assisting a goal in their 3-2 loss to Villarreal in the UEFA Youth League, as the midfielder has enjoyed a prolific spell in front of goal this season which may soon translate into a senior appearance for him.
Who is Tim Degener?
Joining the BVB youth side at just nine years of age, Degener has been steadily climbing up the ladder. Satisfied with the progress that he's shown in the academy, Dortmund even extended his contract through 30 June, 2029, just over two moths ago.
The club had reported that following lengthy discussions with NLZ Director Paul Schaffran and sporting director of the U23 team Ingo Preuß, an agreement was reached to continue the collaboration, after Degener's previous terms with the BVB expired on 30 June this year.
"Tim has been a Black and Yellow for ten years—and sometimes it takes exactly that long to figure out where you really belong. He’s made the most of the past few weeks, giving his all on the field and earning his place here anew every day. In the end, he made a decision he stands behind one hundred percent—and you can tell. It’s great that he’s continuing his journey with Borussia Dortmund."Preuß later said of Degener
Degener's latest heroics underlines his progress with the U23 side and it will be interesting to see if BVB first-team manager Niko Kovac actually picks him up for any of their games this season despite a fierce competition for places in the midfield.
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