Borussia Dortmund continues its squad overhaul by parting ways with Niklas Süle and Salih Özcan this summer. The club will not extend the expiring contract of defender Süle, and midfielder Özcan will also leave. This comes after the earlier announcement of Julian Brandt's departure.
Borussia Dortmund, the current second-placed team in the Bundesliga, is pushing forward with its personnel changes. Following the announcement of the split from attacking player Julian Brandt, defender Niklas Süle and midfielder Salih Özcan must now also leave the club. The 30-year-old Süle, who joined Dortmund from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, ends his four-year stint at BVB. His contract expires at the end of the season and will not be extended, as the club announced.
BVB managing director Lars Ricken stated: "We had very open and appreciative conversations with both this week. In the end, we agreed with both Niklas and Salih to go our separate ways at the end of the season." This occurs despite the long-term absence of defender Emre Can due to an ACL tear. Ricken emphasized that both Süle and the club had felt the need to "orient differently in the summer".
Süle's departure will significantly impact transfer planning. The future of national team player Nico Schlotterbeck remains uncertain. His contract runs until 2027, but he has not yet accepted an extension offer. Ricken said about Schlotterbeck: "We are in a good, confidential exchange. This shows the mutual appreciation, as we are totally clear there. We have a common expectation and will act accordingly." If Schlotterbeck does not extend by the end of the season, Dortmund might sell him to secure a transfer fee.
The decisions highlight the club's desire for realignment, without further speculation on future transfers.
