Excited BVB fans welcome Karetsas and the players returning from Japan | OneFootball

In addition to the first team members returning from the BVB Evonik Japan Tour, the numerous fans also gave new signing Konstantinos Karetsas a warm welcome as he took to the field with his new team for the first time.

The 18-year-old, who had been officially presented as a new signing two days earlier, immediately took center stage during his first training session in the Black and Yellow practice gear. His name was chanted particularly often and loudly as the 23-player training squad warmed up on Wednesday right in front of the many BVB fans who had gathered at the youth stadium on the training grounds. Karetsas’s new teammates—including Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, and Fabio Silva—were also given a rousing welcome by the numerous Black and Yellows in the stands.

Under sunny skies and a temperature of 27 degrees, the BVB first team—including Brazilian newcomer Kaua Prates—showed great dedication during the public training session, which consisted of a fitness segment, various passing and game drills, and a final scrimmage.

On Sunday, BVB will play at Arsenal

In addition to Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, Mussa Kaba, Diant Ramaj, Gregor Kobel, and Julian Ryerson, Yan Couto—who was given the day off on Wednesday—was also absent from the training squad.

After nearly 90 intense minutes of training, the BVB first team took plenty of time after the cool-down to sign autographs and take photos with the fans.

Training will then continue as usual over the coming days, ahead of the next friendly match on Sunday (9 August). Kickoff for the match against English champions Arsenal FC is set for 3:00 p.m. (CEST).

Mats-Yannick Roth

The best photos from Wednesday’s public training session