BVB confirm six departures: even a club icon is leaving | OneFootball

After the final match of the season, Borussia Dortmund confirmed several personnel changes in the U23 squad. Alongside six players, a club icon is also saying goodbye to BVB.

Borussia Dortmund is continuing to push ahead with the restructuring of its U23 team. One day after the final game of the Regionalliga season, BVB confirmed no fewer than six departures. Leroy Kwadwo, Patrick Göbel, Jonas Feddersen, Prince Aning, Nick Cherny and Babis Drakas will leave the club this summer. Their contracts, which expire on June 30, will not be renewed.

Some of these players in particular shaped Dortmund’s U23 over several years. Jonas Feddersen made a total of 75 appearances for the Black and Yellows since 2022, while Nick Cherny featured 77 times since 2023. Patrick Göbel played 62 matches after joining in summer 2023. Prince Aning appeared in 42 games since 2022, while Babis Drakas made 64 appearances following his arrival in 2024. Leroy Kwadwo had only joined Dortmund in January 2026 and still managed to play nine matches.

There are also personnel changes away from head coach Daniel Rios’ squad. Marcel Schmelzer is ending his role as assistant coach of the U23. The former Borussia captain and title-winning player had most recently been working as part of the coaching staff, but is now leaving the club at his own request. Physiotherapist Daniel Zolinski is also departing after eight years with the Westphalian club.

Schmelzer also leaves: BVB reshapes U23 squad

In a statement, the club said goodbye to everyone involved and explained that it sincerely thanked them “for their commitment” and wished them “all the best for the future.” From a sporting perspective, the end of the season was disappointing for Dortmund. The team lost 2-0 to SC Wiedenbrück on the final matchday and, as a result, slipped to fifth place in the Regionalliga West. The former third-division side picked up only two points from its last four matches.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite the mixed finish to the season, BVB is already looking ahead to the next campaign. With centre-back Nanitonda Quiala, who is joining on a free transfer from Hertha Zehlendorf, the first external signing has already been confirmed. In addition, goalkeeper Aaron Held and forward Taycan Etcibasi are expected to move up from the U19s to the U23s.

The Borussia youth setup has at least provided some positive headlines recently: a selection from the youth teams won the Premier League International Cup, and the U17s also secured the Westphalia Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.