Borussia Dortmund announced on Tuesday ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 home leg against Paris Saint-Germain, that they will sign midfielder Emre Can on a permanent four-year deal starting 1. July 2020.
The 26-year-old joined the Black and Yellows from Juventus in January on a loan deal. The €1m loan deal included an obligation buy the player for €25m if certain sporting results were met according to the Italian outfit.
After the just two starts for the club, the Westphalians decided to announce what would have with almost certainty become a permanent deal in the summer anyway.
Can has made a very positive impression right from the outset and said after Friday’s 4-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt: “It’s nice to feel important again. I didn’t have that [feeling] in months. I have it again, even after this short time. I hope it can continue like that.”
The German international, who has played for Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool and Juventus in the past, has instantly assumed a leadership role in BVB’s midfield. Coach Lucien Favre praised Can’s defensive savvy and his communication with teammates on the field recently.
Axel Witsel, meanwhile, who partnered up with Can in central midfield in the last two Bundesliga matches, said at Monday’s press conference ahead of the Champions League tie against Thomas Tuchel’s PSG: “[Emre] integrated very quickly. In the two games we played together, we had good chemistry. I believe that we have more balance in that formation. Before, I paired together with Julian Brandt, who is also a fantastic player but is more attack-minded. Emre Can is more like a number six.”
