Done deal: another first-team player leaves BVB | OneFootball

After Julien Duranville and Cole Campbell, the next talent is leaving Borussia Dortmund. A midfielder is moving to Denmark, where he will reunite with a former BVB coach.

Borussia Dortmund and Kjell Wätjen will go their separate ways in the future. The 20-year-old midfielder is joining Danish runners-up FC Midtjylland with immediate effect, where he will meet his former U19 coach Mike Tullberg. BVB has now officially confirmed the transfer. According to information from Sky, the transfer fee, including possible bonus payments, is just over three million euros.

In addition, Dortmund are said to have secured a 10 percent sell-on clause. Wätjen had already arrived in Dortmund at the age of nine via the BVB Evonik Football Academy and progressed through all youth teams from 2015 onward. In 2024, he signed his first professional contract and shortly afterward made his Bundesliga debut, which he marked with an assist.

Overall, the German youth international made four appearances for the senior team and won the European Championship with the Germany U17 national team. Last season, Wätjen gained valuable experience in professional football on loan at VfL Bochum. In 29 competitive matches, he scored two goals and set up another.

Official: Kjell Wätjen leaves BVB

Despite having a contract that runs until 2028, it had recently become clear that the central midfielder would not have a long-term perspective in Dortmund. At one point, those in charge had considered testing him as a right wing-back during pre-season, but those plans were ultimately dropped.

Photo: IMAGO

Lars Ricken bid farewell to the homegrown player with warm words: “Kjell is not only a great footballer, but also a great person. His development at Borussia Dortmund from the U10s to his debut for the senior team is very special.” The managing director for sport also stressed: “He has a very strong identification with the club, and we are proud that he spent so many years of his journey with us. We wish Kjell every success and all the best for his next step.”

With Wätjen, Borussia Dortmund are losing another highly promising talent in a short space of time after Cole Campbell and Julien Duranville. For the midfielder, a new chapter now begins in Denmark – under a coach who already played a key role in shaping his development in BVB’s youth academy.

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