Ex-BVB star Julian Weigl set for move to the desert | OneFootball

Julian Weigl has played for no other club as often as he has for Borussia Dortmund. Between 2015 and 2020, the defensive midfielder took to the pitch for BVB a total of 171 times. After a stopover at Benfica Lisbon, the now 29-year-old moved on to Mönchengladbach. Now, he is on the verge of a departure to the desert.

"Despite his young age, Julian is already a personality. He managed to get his foot in the door at BVB in no time at all, playing at a very high level, and he is still only at the beginning of his sporting development," explained the then Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc (now 63) in December 2016. Weigl had just put his signature on a contract until June 30, 2021.

Photo: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

In the 2016/17 season, Weigl won the DFB Cup with Borussia Dortmund. However, he missed the 2:1 victory in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt due to an injury. It was nevertheless the first major title in his career. Another triumph followed in 2022/23 with the win of the Portuguese Championship. When Benfica celebrated the success, the native Upper Bavarian was already playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan.

Interest from England

At the end of the season, the "Foals" signed him for a little more than seven million euros. For a time, he led the Gladbach eleven as captain onto the field. But in the run-up to the current season, he lost his regular place in midfield. He did not play a single minute in either the DFB Cup or the Bundesliga opener (0:0 against Hamburger SV). Against HSV, he wasn't even in the squad.

The reason for the absence is likely to be the departure of the ex-BVB pro to Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Weigl is on the verge of a move to Al-Shabab from the capital Riyadh. A loan with an option to buy is being considered. The midfielder still has a contract in Mönchengladbach until 2028.

However, there is also said to be interest from the English Premier League. Leeds United, with former Gladbach coach Daniel Farke (48), reportedly have the 29-year-old on their list.

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