Six U19 players bolster the U23s | OneFootball

Paul Schaffran, the future head of Borussia Dortmund's youth academy, explained: “We want to give our youth players the opportunity to develop outside of youth football at an early stage.”

Two A-youth players, Nick Cherny and Ousmane Diallo, were already able to gain their first experience with the U23s last season. “They already got some game time in the second half of the season and so it's only logical that they join us on a permanent basis this year. This will allow them to take on the challenges of senior football and continue their development,” said Schaffran.

After a strong first year in the U19s, 16-year-old Mussa Kaba is also set to join the BVB reserves. “Mussa is a great talent; at the age of 15, he was already a leader in a team full of older players. We want to get the boy accustomed to adult football as well as possible and we believe he's now ready to take this step,” said U23 boss Mike Tullberg.

“Elias Benkara and Tyler Meiser have already spent two years in the A-youth, so it's only logical that they now join the squad. As an older U19 attacking player, Pharell Kegni should also get used to men's football and gain his first experiences,” added Tullberg.

All six players will start preparing for the new season with the U23s at the weekend.