Borussia Dortmund Bring Mario Götze Back From Bayern Munich For €26M

Germany forward Mario Gotze has returned to Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich on a four-year contract worth €26 million ($28.7 million), three years after he left Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund Bring Mario Götze Back From Bayern Munich For €26M

Gotze, 24, was one of former Bayern manager Pep Guardiola’s first signings in the summer of 2013, having agreed to join before the end of the season. He leaves Munich after winning three Bundesliga titles and two German cups. He also scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

Dortmund will complete the transfer subject to passing a medical, and despite the fact Gotze still had one year remaining on his contract with Bundesliga champions Bayern.

Gotze said in a statement on Facebook that his decision to leave Dortmund three years ago was one he regrets.

“When I switched from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich in 2013, that was a conscious decision that I will not hide myself from today,” Gotze wrote. “Three years later, at 24 years of age, I look with different eyes at my former decision. I understand that back then many fans could not understand my decision. When I return to my home, I want to try and convince everyone – especially those who do not receive me with open arms – with my performances. My aim is to play again my best football. For all of us, the club and the BVB fans.”

Clearly, the young attacker knows his return to his former club will not be well received by all. Gotze spent four years with Dortmund before joining Bayern. He boasts 56 international caps and 17 goals with Germany.

In the weeks prior to his departure, the famous “Yellow Wall” at Dortmund’s stadium labeled him as a “Judas” in addition to fans holding up signs stating “f— you, Gotze” at their home ground, the Westfalenstadion.

While defender Mats Hummels and midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all left this summer, Dortmund are rebuilding their squad, having already brought in Ousmane Dembélé, Sebastian Rode, Raphaël Guerreiro, Marc Bartra, Emre Mor and Mikel Merino.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has also spoken about the move, and how he always thought that the former prodigal son would always come home.

‘I am personally very pleased that Mario has decided to Borussia Dortmund. I have, since his departure in 2013, always hoped that he will one day return to us.

‘My thanks go to this point explicitly at Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

‘We have negotiated with Bayern in this transfer window three changes. All our conversations were marked by great professionalism and mutual trust.’

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 21: Mario Goetze of Germany runs with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group C match between Northern Ireland and Germany at Parc des Princes on June 21, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)