COLOGNE, Germany (AP) – Julian Brandt will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken told broadcaster Sky on Saturday that the club and player had agreed not to extend Brandt’s contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Ricken was giving a speech after Brandt set up Maximilian Beyer’s goal. Dortmund beat Cologne 2-1 In the Bundesliga.
“There have been some reports already, but it’s just that there were open negotiations and everyone agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said. “He played hundreds of games for Borussia Dortmund. I can only thank him for playing with me for seven years. He was criticized sometimes, but I still love his style, thanks to his assists.”
Brandt, who joined the team from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019, will turn 30 on May 2nd. He scored 56 goals in 298 games for Dortmund.
“We can change direction a little bit,” Ricken said. “So, this could be an opportunity for both of us, but it was fine for both of us. In the end, we came to an agreement. I think we part with a lot of respect. But like I said, for both of us, this is another opportunity.”
Brandt made 48 appearances for Germany, but has not featured since the Nations League match against Hungary in November 2024.
Ricken said the decision does not affect whether German defender Nico Schlotterbeck remains at the club. Schlotterbeck’s contract expires next year, but it is unclear whether he will remain, amid reports of interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Ricken said Dortmund will offer team captain Emre Can a contract extension. The defensive side is I’ll be out for the rest of the season. He suffered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
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