Borussia Dortmund bid farewell to Kehl, Brandt, Süle and Özcan | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund secured a second-place finish after a 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in their last game of the season at Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion). The club prepared parting gifts for the sporting director Sebastian Kehl and the three players whose expiring contracts will not be renewed this summer.

Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan played their last home games for the club on Friday. The former captained the club one last time, while the other two came on as late substitutes. Süle will hang up his boots after Dortmund’s last game of the season away at Werder Bremen.

Kehl was also a former Dortmund midfielder before committing his life after retirement to the club in different roles. In total, the sporting director spent over two decades in one of the biggest clubs in Germany.

“He (Kehl) lived and breathed black yellow!” said the legendary stadium announcer Nobby Dickel while introducing the legend’s name for one last time. Dortmund are expected to pay between €1.5 and €2 million for terminating the contract of the 46-year-old.

“One of the most technical footballers we have seen here in recent years!” was Dickel’s choice of words for Brandt’s introduction. The former Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder played over 300 times for the Black and Yellows.

Süle announced his retirement from football a day before his farewell game at Signal Iduna Park. “A man who stands for force, passion, and emotion like no other,” shouted Dickel before admiring his dedication to come back stronger from several injury setbacks in his career.

“An honest worker who prefers to grumble instead of talk. A fighter and mentality player!” was the tribute for Özcan by Dickel. The Turkish international could stay in the Bundesliga as several clubs are showing interest despite his unsuccessful spell in Dortmund. Kehl and the three players shared the moment with the fans as they were applauded one last time in front of the Yellow Wall.