Borussia Dortmund, the Champions League runner-up, has made their first signing of the summer transfer window. The German club has secured the services of defender Waldemar Anton from VfB Stuttgart. Anton’s move leaves Stuttgart in need of a new captain as they prepare for their return to top-tier European competition next season.
Anton was a pivotal player for Stuttgart last season, featuring in all but one Bundesliga game. His impressive performances helped the team defy expectations and finish second in the league, behind only champion Bayer Leverkusen. This success earned him a place in the German national team for Euro 2024, where he made two substitute appearances during Germany’s run to the quarter-finals.
In a statement released by Dortmund, Anton expressed his excitement about the move, saying, “I wasn’t originally planning to change clubs, but then came Borussia Dortmund. A top club that had just been in the Champions League final. That shows the potential in this club.”
Anton, who was born in Uzbekistan, is expected to form a strong defensive partnership with Nico Schlotterbeck. The experienced Mats Hummels departed Dortmund last month after his contract expired. Anton joins Dortmund on a four-year deal for an undisclosed transfer fee after spending four seasons with Stuttgart.
Just in January, Anton had signed a contract extension with Stuttgart that was set to keep him at the club until 2027. He was named captain last season following the departure of midfielder Wataru Endo to Liverpool. However, Stuttgart’s defensive options have been depleted with the recent departures of Anton and Hiroki Ito, who joined Bayern Munich last month. The team is also facing potential exits of forwards Serhou Guirassy and Chris Führich.
