Borussia Dortmund squad restructuring

Borussia Dortmund has begun restructuring its squad for the 2026/27 season under new sporting director Ole Book. The club reached a basic agreement with Belgian club Genk to sign 18-year-old Greek winger Konstantinos Karetsas for a reported €30 million fixed fee, plus up to €2 million in bonuses.

As the club integrates several new signings, including Karetsas and defender Joane Gadou, it has also seen the departures of Julian Brandt, Salih Özcan, and Niklas Süle. The presentation of Karetsas drew local criticism after his introduction at a snack bar in Kamen-Methler was viewed by some as a missed opportunity to engage with the local Greek community's history.

On August 12, 2026, the club finalized the transfer of Karetsas from KRC Genk for a total value of approximately €30 million to €32 million. The deal, one of the largest in Genk’s history, sees the attacking midfielder commit to Dortmund until 2027. Karetsas has selected the number 19 jersey, citing Lionel Messi as his inspiration.

This signing is part of a wider recruitment strategy focused on young talent, as evidenced by the arrivals of Joane Gadou from RB Salzburg, Kaua Prates from Cruzeiro, and Justin Lerma from Independiente. Both Karetsas and Gadou have also seen their profiles rise within the Golden Boy Top 100 rankings.