Official: Dortmund extend with promising defensive talent until 2029 | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund has extended the contract of promising 18-year-old talent Elias Benkara until June 30, 2029.

Benkara, who has been part of Dortmund's youth academy since 2021, will thus enter his sixth season with BVB this summer.

In the current season, Benkara has made nine appearances for the U-19 team and a further ten for the U-23s in Regionalliga West.

In December 2024, he was even included in the first-team squad for the Champions League home match against FC Barcelona.

The Frankfurt native, who was even approached by Eintracht, received his first call-up to the Algerian national team in November 2025.

“The contract extension with Elias confirms our approach of promoting talent from our own youth academy.

“We are delighted that he will continue on this path with us," explained Ingo Preuß, sporting director of BVB's U-23 team.