Borussia Dortmund have signed defender Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg on a five-year contract, the Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday. The transfer fee is reported to be €20 million, excluding any potential add-ons. Gadou’s contract with Dortmund will run until 2031.
The 19-year-old Frenchman joins Dortmund after two seasons with Salzburg, where he made 58 appearances. He arrives as a strengthening option for a Dortmund side that finished as Bundesliga runners-up and has qualified for the Champions League next season. Dortmund’s sporting director, Lars Ricken, highlighted the club’s long-term interest in Gadou, stating they have been tracking his progress since his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
Gadou began his youth career with PSG, winning the French U19 Championship in the 2023-2024 season before moving to Austria in 2024. Standing at 1.95 meters, Gadou is described as a powerful defender and is expected to contribute immediately to the Dortmund squad. Ricken believes Gadou will “reinforce our team and play an important role from the start of the new season,” expressing confidence in the player’s potential.
Gadou himself expressed his excitement about joining Borussia Dortmund, referring to the club as “the BVB family.” He stated his eagerness to wear the black and yellow jersey and achieve success alongside his new teammates, the club, and the supporters. The move provides Dortmund with a promising young central defender as they look to challenge for domestic and European honours, while Gadou gains a platform to further develop his career in one of Europe’s top leagues.
This transfer addresses a need for defensive depth for Dortmund, especially considering the demands of competing in the Champions League alongside their Bundesliga campaign. Gadou’s arrival adds another young talent to a Dortmund squad increasingly known for nurturing promising players.
