Borussia Dortmund Sign Axel Witsel In €20m Deal

German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have completed the transfer of Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel from Tianjin Quanjian.

Witsel, 29, has signed a four-year contract at the Signa Iduna Park until 2022 after joining from the Chinese Super League outfit in a deal worth €20m.

The former Zenit St. Petersburg star helped Tianjin to a third-place finish last season but the club is in ninth position on the league table this season after 16 games.

He was part of the Belgium squad that finished in third place at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

On his move, Witsel said: “After the World Cup, it was my goal to move from China back to Europe.”

“I’m totally happy and also proud to be allowed to play for BVB soon.

“After our first conversation, I did not have to think twice, because for me Borussia Dortmund is one of the best clubs on the continent. Honestly, I can not wait to run around in front of 81,000 people.” He concluded.

BVB Sporting director Michael Zorc added: “We have been very interested in signing Axel Witsel for many months and are very happy that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund.”

“Axel is a player with a great deal of international experience who has all the skills to shape BVB’s central midfield: tactical understanding, tackling power, speed, creativity and mentality.” Zorc concluded.