Borussia Dortmund has officially signed defender Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg on a contract that extends until June 2031. The 19-year-old French player, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, brings his talents to Dortmund as the club aims to strengthen its defense for both immediate needs and long-term growth.
Gadou, standing at 1.95 meters, made 58 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg, which included matches in the Champions League qualifiers and Europa League. Dortmund’s managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, expressed confidence in Gadou’s abilities, emphasizing his potential impact on the team from the upcoming season onwards.
Described as a “modern and physically strong centre back” by Dortmund’s sporting director Ole Book, Gadou’s skill set includes solid build-up play, speed, and room for further development. His signing comes at a crucial time for Dortmund, as they face defensive gaps due to various circumstances, including injuries and player departures.
Joane Gadou has been part of France’s youth teams since 2022, achieving notable success at the European under-17 level. Eager to join Dortmund, Gadou expressed his excitement about wearing the team’s iconic black-and-yellow jersey for the first time. Currently placed second in the Bundesliga standings with 70 points, Dortmund is gearing up to play Werder Bremen in their final match of the season on Saturday.
