"Wants to win the title"

Official: Dortmund announce Guirassy transfer

Serhou Guirassy is moving from VfB Stuttgart to Borussia Dortmund.(Bild: Borussia Dortmund bvb.de)

Serhou Guirassy's transfer to German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund has been finalized after days of uncertainty. Dortmund announced that the former VfB Stuttgart goalscorer had signed a contract until 2028. A failed medical check last week had delayed the agreement with the 28-year-old. Strikers Niclas Füllkrug and Sébastien Haller could now be candidates for sale at BVB.

According to media reports, a second examination of Guirassy ordered by BVB revealed that the torn collateral ligament in his knee does not require surgery. This meant that nothing stood in the way of the transfer. "Thoroughness clearly took precedence over speed here," commented managing director Lars Ricken on the signing. "All the facts are now on the table and we are convinced that we have made the right decision with this transfer."

Guirassy is the second transfer from VfB Stuttgart to Dortmund after defender Waldemar Anton. The Guinea international was allowed to leave the runners-up thanks to a release clause worth a reported €18 million. With 28 goals in 28 league games last season, he played a key role in helping the Swabians make the leap from almost being relegated to Champions League contenders in the 2022/23 season. Due to his injury, Guirassy will probably miss the first compulsory matches of the season (Cup/17.8. and first matchday/24.8.).

In sporting terms, Ricken emphasizes: "It would be wrong to reduce Serhou to his finishing qualities. As a striker, he is of course measured by his goals. Beyond that, however, the role he plays in running at opponents clearly shows that he defines himself as a real team player."

BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl emphasizes: "We have the ambition to show top performances in the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup and to achieve our ambitious goals. To do this, we need first-class options in all positions. Serhou is an extremely dangerous and complete striker who will strengthen us and our squad with his qualities. We are delighted that, following the latest examinations, he will be pulling on the BVB jersey in the foreseeable future and scoring goals for us."

"Wants to win titles"
"When Borussia Dortmund asks, it's something special," says Serhou Guirassy: "Every child interested in soccer in the world knows this club, knows the black and yellow jerseys, knows the yellow wall. I'm very excited about all this, about my new team-mates. And it's important for me to say: I came here to win titles. That's my ambition, that's what drives me. The club showed what is possible at BVB last year by reaching the Champions League final."

Following the agreement with the new signing, who was also courted by other clubs, BVB now have four alternatives for the center of attack in Füllkrug, Haller and Youssoufa Moukoko. Haller is said to be a candidate for sale, while AC Milan are said to be interested in Füllkrug, according to Bild.