Transfer fee, additional clauses, first reactions: Yan Couto signs for Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City defender Yan Couto has completed a transfer to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.

The 22-year-old, who has never made a first-team appearance for Manchester City, becomes the third defensive exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer, following the transfers of both Sergio Gomez and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Couto signed a one-year extension with the Sky Blues this summer, but will complete a departure from east Manchester, where the Brazilian has been since signing as a 17-year-old from Coritiba FC on an initial five-year contract.

The full-back helped Manchester City’s sister-club Girona qualify for the UEFA Champions League during the 2023/24 campaign, enjoying his third loan spell at the Spanish top-flight club.

Couto made 39 appearances and registered 12 direct goal involvements last season, but is unable to return to the Estadi Montilivi for the 2024/25 campaign due to an agreement between the City Football Group and UEFA.

The Brazil international as a result has completed a move to Borussia Dortmund, and here is everything you need to know about the 22-year-old’s switch to Signal Iduna Park in Germany.

What are the terms of the Yan Couto transfer to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City?

Yan Couto has completed an initial season-long loan switch to Borussia Dortmund, with the Bundesliga club having an obligation to sign the defender for €30 million. A club statement from BVB also confirmed that the obligation “is reliant on performance criteria being met.”

The permanent transfer agreement includes an initial €25 million fee and add-ons totalling €5 million.

It is also understood that Manchester City will have a sell-on clause included in the deal when it is expected to become permanent in 2025.

What have Manchester City said about the transfer?

Manchester City have not commented on confirmation of the loan agreement, despite the player being contracted to the Etihad Stadium until 2026, but are expected to release a statement upon the move becoming permanent next year.

What has Yan Couto said about the transfer?

Speaking during his first interview for Borussia Dortmund, Yan Couto said, “It’s a dream come true for me. Borussia Dortmund is a special club.

“Every child in Brazil knows the greatness of this club, knows the fans and is fascinated by the Yellow Wall.

“I can hardly wait to wear the BVB jersey for the first time and experience the power and emotions in this great stadium.”

How have Borussia Dortmund reacted to the deal?

Borussia Dortmund sporting director, Lars Ricken said, “We already had Yan Couto on our radar before he won the U17 World Cup with Brazil in 2019.

“Yan can become a very special player. He offers speed, technique and wit at the highest level. He is very young, can still learn a lot, and yet we trust him to be able to continue the history of special Brazilian players at BVB.”

Fellow sporting director, Sebastian Kehl said, “Yan Couto is an extremely exciting player. He can work the entire wing, combines exceptional dynamism with intensity, technical finesse and dribbling ability.

“Yan can be used in a variety of ways, loves one-on-one duels, can deliver precise crosses and has a strong offensive drive. His development in Spain was remarkable, and yet he still has a lot of potential for development.

“This means he fits perfectly into the profile we were looking for for this position group. We are very pleased that we were able to convince him of our approach.”

We wish Yan Couto all the very best on his initial loan move to Borussia Dortmund for the forthcoming season, and in his future endeavours with the Bundesliga club!