The 2025/26 season finds Borussia Dortmund in a state of determined transition under the guidance of Nuri Şahin, the former BVB midfielder who took the helm in 2024 following Edin Terzić’s departure. Die Schwarzgelben (The Black and Yellows) have embraced a younger, more dynamic identity, moving away from the pragmatic football of recent years toward a high-pressing, possession-oriented system that reflects Şahin’s footballing education under Jürgen Klopp and his years at Real Madrid’s academy. The summer transfer window brought significant change: veteran captain Marco Reus departed for MLS, while Jadon Sancho returned on a permanent deal from Manchester United after a successful loan. The Westfalenstadion, with its iconic Yellow Wall, remains one of European football’s most intimidating venues, its 25,000-strong standing terrace creating an atmosphere that opposing teams dread. This season’s squad is built around emerging German talents, revitalised returnees, and a defensive spine designed to challenge Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Dortmund’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Gregor Kobel
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: 1899 Hoffenheim, FC Augsburg, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2021)
Gregor Kobel has become one of the Bundesliga’s finest goalkeepers, the Swiss international providing reflexes, command, and distribution that have been instrumental in Dortmund’s Champions League qualification campaigns. The 28-year-old’s shot-stopping (77% save percentage in 2024/25, 76% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (88% cross-claiming success) have silenced pre-season sceptics. Kobel’s distribution (89% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters and clipped passes to advancing full-backs, suits Şahin’s high-tempo transition system. Having started 31 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 13 clean sheets, he remains remarkably durable. Kobel’s contract runs through 2028, with Dortmund rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs. Kobel’s performance against Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker—making 10 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Alexander Meyer
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Jahn Regensburg, Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Alexander Meyer has accepted a rotational role behind Kobel, providing German backup depth, cup competition cover, and dressing room experience. The 34-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Meyer started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Kobel’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Meyer’s contract expires in 2027.
3. Marcel Lotka
Nationality: Polish (German-born)
Former Clubs: Hertha Berlin B, Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Marcel Lotka has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Dortmund’s youth setup. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Nico Schlotterbeck (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: SC Freiburg
Transfer Fee: €20 million (2022)
Nico Schlotterbeck has become Dortmund’s defensive leader and vice-captain, the German international providing left-footed passing, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence across four transformative seasons at the club. The 26-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.6 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His left-footed passing (5.4 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion), particularly his raking diagonals and line-breaking verticals, initiates attacks from deep. Schlotterbeck’s aerial duel success (87%) leads Dortmund’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. His tackling (2.9 per 90) and blocks (1.4 per 90) demonstrate aggressive defending. Schlotterbeck’s partnership with Waldemar Anton has conceded only 0.95 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Schlotterbeck’s contract runs through 2029, with Dortmund rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Waldemar Anton
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Hannover 96, VfB Stuttgart
Transfer Fee: €22.5 million (2024)
Waldemar Anton’s summer 2024 arrival from VfB Stuttgart added German international experience, physicality, and defensive organisation to Dortmund’s backline. The 29-year-old’s aerial duel success (86%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide defensive security alongside Schlotterbeck. Anton’s passing (89% completion) remains secure; his role involves physical duels and covering spaces. Anton’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Ramy Bensebaini
Nationality: Algerian
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Ramy Bensebaini has become Dortmund’s first-choice left-back following his free transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Algerian international providing physicality, crossing, and defensive aggression across three seasons at the club. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Bensebaini’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Julian Ryerson
Nationality: Norwegian
Former Clubs: Union Berlin
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2023)
Julian Ryerson has become Dortmund’s first-choice right-back, the Norwegian international providing energy, defensive diligence, and tactical discipline across three seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Ryerson’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Niklas Süle
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich, 1899 Hoffenheim
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Niklas Süle has seen his playing time reduced following Anton’s arrival, the 30-year-old German international providing centre-back depth, physicality, and experience. Süle’s aerial duel success (84%) and tackling (2.5 per 90) provide functional cover. Süle’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Felix Passlack
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Felix Passlack has provided full-back depth following his return from loan spells, the German defender offering experience and versatility. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Mateu Morey
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Barcelona B, Borussia Dortmund
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2019)
Mateu Morey’s Dortmund career has been decimated by injuries, yet the Spanish full-back remains an emergency cover option when fit. The 26-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Midfielders
1. Julian Brandt
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2019)
Julian Brandt has become Dortmund’s creative heartbeat and primary attacking catalyst, the German international providing passing range, dribbling, and goal threat from attacking midfield across seven seasons at the club. The 29-year-old’s passing (5.3 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure under pressure enable Dortmund to build play through midfield. Brandt’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (11 assists) provide elite production. Brandt’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Marcel Sabitzer
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Manchester United
Transfer Fee: €19 million (2023)
Marcel Sabitzer has become Dortmund’s midfield engine, the Austrian international providing energy, tackling, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.5 pressures per 90) set Şahin’s standards. Sabitzer’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide balanced output. Sabitzer’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Felix Nmecha
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Manchester City, VfL Wolfsburg
Transfer Fee: €30 million (2023)
Felix Nmecha has emerged as a reliable midfield rotation option following patient integration, the German international providing ball-carrying, physicality, and tactical discipline. The 25-year-old’s ball-carrying (4.1 progressive carries per 90) and work rate provide functional depth. Nmecha’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Giovanni Reyna
Nationality: American
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Giovanni Reyna’s Dortmund career has been disrupted by injuries (missed 12 matches in 2025/26), yet the American international provides creativity, dribbling, and attacking midfield depth when fit. The 23-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (3 assists) provide flashes of quality. Reyna’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Kjell Wätjen
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Kjell Wätjen has emerged as one of Dortmund’s most promising academy products, the 19-year-old midfielder providing energy, passing, and tactical intelligence following his graduation. Wätjen’s contract runs through 2030.
6. Pascal Groß
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2025)
Pascal Groß’s summer 2025 arrival from Brighton added German international experience, passing quality, and set-piece delivery to Dortmund’s midfield depth. The 34-year-old’s passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure provide functional depth. Groß’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Emre Can (Captain)
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Juventus
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2020)
Emre Can has accepted a reduced veteran rotational role following his long service, the German international providing leadership, defensive midfield cover, and versatility. Now 32, Can’s contract expires in 2027, with a coaching role likely thereafter.
8. Salih Özcan
Nationality: Turkish (German-born)
Former Clubs: 1. FC Köln
Transfer Fee: €5 million (2022)
Salih Özcan has provided midfield depth following his arrival from 1. FC Köln, the Turkish international offering physicality and tackling. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
9. Elias Benkara
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Elias Benkara has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder representing the future of Dortmund’s creative department.
Forwards
1. Karim Adeyemi
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Salzburg
Transfer Fee: €30 million (2022)
Karim Adeyemi has finally delivered on his immense potential, the German international providing pace, finishing, and creativity that have made him one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous attackers. The 24-year-old’s acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.4 seconds) and dribbling (4.1 successful take-ons per 90) terrorise defenders from the left flank. Adeyemi’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (9 assists) provide elite production. Adeyemi’s contract runs through 2029, with Dortmund rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Donyell Malen
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: PSV Eindhoven
Transfer Fee: €30 million (2021)
Donyell Malen has become Dortmund’s primary goal-scoring threat, the Dutch international providing finishing, movement, and versatility across the frontline. The 27-year-old’s finishing (16 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (27%) provide consistent scoring threat. Malen’s movement off the shoulder (3.3 shots per 90) and work rate pressing centre-backs (10.6 pressures per 90) set Dortmund’s defensive tone from the front. Malen’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Maximilian Beier
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1899 Hoffenheim, Hannover 96 (loan)
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2024)
Maximilian Beier has provided striker depth following his arrival from 1899 Hoffenheim, the German international offering finishing, movement, and physical presence. The 23-year-old’s finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) and hold-up play (71% success) provide functional depth. Beier’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Manchester City academy
Transfer Fee: £250,000 (2020)
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has provided wide depth following his graduation from Dortmund’s academy, the English winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity. The 21-year-old’s dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) suggest elite potential. Bynoe-Gittens’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Julien Duranville
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: RSC Anderlecht
Transfer Fee: €8.5 million (2023)
Julien Duranville’s Dortmund career has been disrupted by injuries (the 19-year-old has missed 20+ matches across two seasons), yet the Belgian winger provides emergency wide depth when fit.
6. Youssoufa Moukoko
Nationality: German (Cameroonian descent)
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Youssoufa Moukoko has seen his playing time reduced following Beier’s arrival, the 21-year-old striker providing emergency depth. Moukoko’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Samuel Bamba
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Dortmund academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Samuel Bamba has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 20-year-old winger representing the future of Dortmund’s wide attack.
Conclusion
Borussia Dortmund’s 2025/26 squad represents the most exciting and youthful group assembled since the Jürgen Klopp era, a testament to Nuri Şahin’s coaching vision, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Anton, Groß, Beier), and the academy’s continued production (Wätjen, Bamba, Lotka). The defence, anchored by Nico Schlotterbeck’s German composure and Waldemar Anton’s physicality, provides platform for Dortmund’s high-pressing, transitional system. The midfield, dominated by Julian Brandt’s creativity and Marcel Sabitzer’s Austrian energy, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Karim Adeyemi’s pace and Donyell Malen’s finishing, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Dortmund has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Wätjen, Bynoe-Gittens, and Adeyemi represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves finally breaking Bayern Munich’s domestic stranglehold—Dortmund has not won the Bundesliga since 2012—and mounting a serious Champions League challenge. Yet the Westfalenstadion’s legendary Yellow Wall atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Dortmund no longer hopes merely to compete; they expect to challenge for trophies. This squad appears equipped to deliver another Bundesliga title challenge and a deep European run. Heja BVB.
