Swift BVB exit: defensive gem signs in 2. Bundesliga | OneFootball

Just a few months ago, Elias Benkara signed a new long-term contract. Now comes the big surprise: the 19-year-old defensive gem is packing his bags and leaving Borussia Dortmund.

As BILD reports, the deal is already done. The defensive talent has completed the mandatory medical at SpVgg Greuther Fürth and has already signed a contract with the 2. Bundesliga club.

The transfer terms in particular are raising eyebrows. BVB are initially loaning the 1.93-meter giant to the Cloverleaves. A purchase obligation will then kick in. In order to retain control over Benkara’s sporting future, Dortmund have reportedly secured a buy-back option as well as a share of any future transfer fee.

This brings a sudden end to a months-long saga. Benkara was already close to leaving the Black and Yellows in the spring. Despite concrete approaches from top clubs at home and abroad, the German-Algerian extended his expiring contract until 2029 in April, only to leave the club after all. Eintracht Frankfurt, Feyenoord Rotterdam and RSC Anderlecht were all said to be interested in the centre-back.

BVB Have the Final Say

The defender, who joined Borussia from Mainz’s youth academy five years ago, developed through BVB’s ranks into a third-division player (15 appearances, 1 goal). He also got a taste of first-team football in Dortmund: in addition to being named in the squad for Bundesliga and Champions League matches, Benkara was also included in the roster for the Club World Cup. However, he did not manage to make an official competitive appearance for the senior team during that time.

Photo: IMAGO

The move to Fürth is expected to guarantee the centre-back the urgently needed game time at a high level that is currently not possible at BVB. The 2. Bundesliga club’s pursuit dragged on for weeks. Fürth officials had already been pushing hard to sign the youngster since mid-June.

With the deal now close to completion, Borussia’s plan appears to have worked out: thanks to the agreed buy-back option, Dortmund have secured a way to bring Benkara back to the Ruhr area if he develops positively.

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