Official: BVB youngster moves to 3. Liga | OneFootball

After strong performances in the jersey of Borussia Dortmund II, Antonio Foti is taking the next step forward. SC Verl secures the versatile midfield talent for the promotion battle in the 3rd league.

In the winter, Borussia Dortmund II is letting go of one of its established players. Antonio Foti is leaving BVB's U23 and is immediately joining the third-division club SC Verl. Dortmund's second team is still doing well: After 18 match days in the Regionalliga West, the team ranks fifth with 32 points. The start of the 2026 competitive season is on January 24, when they play away at Sportfreunde Siegen.

For Foti, the move back to the 3rd league represents the next step in his career. The 22-year-old midfielder played 38 third-division matches for BVB last season and was one of the key players. This season, he has also made 15 appearances in the Regionalliga West. Previously, the versatile player gained second-division experience at Hannover 96, where he made 17 appearances. Foti was trained at Eintracht Frankfurt.

In Verl, the Cyprus national player is expected to take on an important role in the promotion race. Sporting director Zlatko Janjic says about the new signing: "With Toni, we gain a versatile midfielder with high potential." He also emphasizes: "In his young years, he has already gained a lot of experience and will further fuel our team's competitive spirit."

Winter Transfer Confirmed: Foti Leaves BVB and Moves to Verl

The move is also viewed positively at BVB. Ingo Preuß, sporting director of Dortmund's U23, explains: "Toni can now play in the 3rd league again. With SC Verl, he has found a very good club that stands for the development of young players and offers him optimal conditions for the next step."

Foti himself looks forward to his new task with anticipation at the second-placed team in the 3rd league. "I am excited about the new challenge in Verl," says the 22-year-old. "The guys played a great first half of the season, and I want to contribute to a similar performance in the second half."

SC Verl spent the winter break in second place with 35 points, just behind leaders Energie Cottbus. At the start of the second half of the season, the East Westphalians will host Waldhof Mannheim on January 17 – possibly with former BVB talent Foti in a key role.

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