Bundesliga Dortmund signs Gadou as a replacement for Suele

Borussia Dortmund announced on Tuesday the signing of teenage central defender Joane Gadou, who will replace the retiring Niklas Suele.

Gadou, 19, joins from Red Bull Salzburg on a deal lasting until 2031 for a reported fee of 20 million euros ($23.5 million) plus bonuses.

A French international at junior level, Gadou came through the academy of Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Salzburg in 2024.

The transfer is Dortmund’s first under new sporting director Ole Book, who promised to return the club’s focus to attracting young talent.

Erling Haaland and Karim Adeyemi also came to Dortmund from Salzburg.

Suele, a 49-time Germany international, announced earlier in May that he would retire in the summer at the age of 30.

Published on May 12, 2026