Borussia Dortmund has officially announced the signing of 19-year-old centre-back Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg. The young defender has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2031.

Career Progression

Gadou began his football journey in the youth ranks of Paris Saint-Germain before making a move to Salzburg in 2024. Since joining the Austrian side, he has made a total of 58 appearances, showcasing his talent and potential. Notably, Gadou played every minute of Salzburg's three group matches at the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, including a match against Real Madrid.

Comments from Club Officials

Following the announcement, Dortmund's CEO Lars Ricken expressed confidence in Gadou's abilities, stating, "We've known about Joane for a long time and were watching him at PSG. Joane will bolster our ranks and take on an important role with us from the start of the new season. We're convinced of his qualities and see enormous potential for development." Sporting director Ole Book also praised the new signing, describing him as "a modern and physically strong centre-back" who excels in build-up play and possesses remarkable speed.

Gadou himself shared his excitement about joining Dortmund, saying, "I'm so happy to be part of the BVB family in the future. I can hardly wait to wear the black and yellow shirt for the first time. I want to enjoy success here in the coming years with my teammates, the whole club and our incredible fans."

This signing comes shortly after Dortmund defender Niklas Süle announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the season, highlighting the importance of Gadou's arrival as the club looks to strengthen its defensive lineup.