Sara Ito, Ronja Leubner and Celina Baum join the BVB women | OneFootball

Sara Ito: International reinforcement from the Bundesliga

In Japanese player Sara Ito, the BVB women have signed another player from the Women's Bundesliga. The 23-year-old midfielder has been plying her trade for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam since 2023 and made a big contribution to the club winning the Women's 2. Bundesliga title and gaining promotion to the Women's Bundesliga in her first season in Potsdam. Born in Tokyo, Ito began her football career in the youth academies of Furoku SC and Sekimae SC before transferring to Japanese giants NTV Beleza in 2019. She helped Beleza to win the AFC Women's Club Championship, the Asian Football Confederation's Champions League, that same year. She then made the move to Europe in February 2022, first joining FC Wacker Innsbruck before then moving to FK Austria Wien in 2022/23. She then came to Germany in the summer of 2023 and joined 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, where she made a total of 44 competitive appearances. “My goal is to do my best for the club on and off the pitch in order to achieve our common objectives with the team,” Ito explained.

Ronja Leubner: Midfield talent from FSV Gütersloh

The 20-year-old midfielder Ronja Leubner is completing a switch to Dortmund from FSV Gütersloh 2009. Despite her young age, she already boasts considerable experience in the Women's 2. Bundesliga. She received her footballing education at FSV Gütersloh, where she played in the U17 Bundesliga between 2019 and 2021. She made the leap to the first team ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. Since then, she has been a permanent fixture in the second-division squad. Over the last three seasons, she has racked up 81 appearances in the Women's 2. Bundesliga, scoring 14 goals. Leubner said: “As a big BVB fan, it is of course a special honour for me to wear the shirt myself starting next season.”

Celina Baum: All-round support for BVB

Celina Baum is also joining BVB from FSV Gütersloh 2009. The 24-year-old all-rounder has made a total of 147 competitive appearances for FSV's U17s and first team since 2016, scoring 24 goals in the process. Baum made her debut for the first team back in 2018 and has amassed 111 appearances in the second tier since then. “I'm looking forward to the new challenge and the new faces, and I also hope to be able to continue my personal development in the process,” said Baum.