In the summer of 2014, Ciro Immobile moved from FC Turin to Borussia Dortmund, but he was never to find a sporting home at BVB. On the occasion of his birthday on February 20th, SPOX is presenting a selection of other players where the black and yellow really went wrong.
MATTHEW AMOAH
Came from Vitesse Arnhem in 2005 for €0.4m – stats: 17 games, 0 goals – sold to NAC Breda in 2007 for €0.18m.
The Nigerian had scored 72 goals in the Netherlands, but the Bundesliga was a size too big. After 18 months, it was back to the Eredivisie, where Amoah continued to score (121 goals in total).
ANDRE BERGDOLMO
Came from Ajax Amsterdam in 2003 for €0.3m – Stats: 28 games, 0 goals – Moved to FC Copenhagen on a free transfer in 2005.
At a time when BVB was on the verge of bankruptcy, snappers like the Norwegian should fix it. Only: Bergdölmo attracted attention almost exclusively through gross mistakes and was banished to the second team in the meantime.
FLAVIO CONCEICAO
Loaned from Real Madrid in 2003 – Stats 14 games, 1 goal – Loan ended after a year.
The samba kicker didn’t cost a fee, but a salary of 2.5 million euros was a lot of wood. Apart from a free-kick goal in the derby against Schalke, the royal loan only wanted to succeed a little.
ABDOU DIALLO
Came from Mainz 05 for €28m in 2018 – Stats: 28 games, 1 goal – Sold to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 for €32m.
Highly gifted and with a lot of advance praise, the Frenchman came from Mainz. The reality was that Diallo failed to add stability to the defence. After all: Diallo could be sold to PSG with a profit.
CIRO REAL ESTATE
Came from Torino in 2014 for €18.5m – Stats: 24 games, 3 goals – Was finally sold to Sevilla FC in January 2016 for €11m.
He was supposed to follow in Robert Lewandowski’s footsteps but never warmed to the German mentality. Complained about the isolation in the team and went to Seville. Meanwhile at Lazio, where he scores at will.
ADNAN JANUZAJ
Loaned from Manchester United in 2015 – Statistics: 6 games, 0 goals – Loan ended early after half a year.
The Belgian was considered a mega talent and should mature in Dortmund. But there was little to see of that, the winger often seemed listless and unmotivated. The consequence: the loan was terminated prematurely. Now active at Real Sociedad.
KEVIN KAMPL
Came from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2015 for €12m – Stats: 14 games, 0 goals – Moved to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015 for €11m
It seemed like a coup that BVB RB Leipzig was able to slide between them. At BVB, the Slovene didn’t find his way in the relegation battle (Dortmund was penultimate!) and was deported to Leverkusen after six months.
EMRE MOR
Came from Nordsjaelland in 2016 for €9.75m – Stats: 12 games, 1 goal – Sold to Celta Vigo in 2017 for €13m.
It wasn’t because of the Turk’s talent that he couldn’t assert himself. Was hailed as the Turkish Messi and was good at dribbling, but played far too little. There was also a lack of discipline – not a good idea under coach Tuchel.
MAXIMILIAN PHILIP
Came from SC Freiburg in 2017 for €20m – Stats: 38 games, 10 goals – Sold to Dinamo Moscow in 2019 for €20m.
His first year started out promising with 9 goals, but after that the former Freiburger managed little. The result was a sale of the ex-U21 national player to Russia. Meanwhile back in Germany, currently with Werder Bremen.
SUNDAY OLISEH
Came from Juventus in 2000 for €7.5m – Stats: 53 games, 1 goal – Moved to KRC Genk on a free transfer in 2005.
Oliseh struggled with injuries for almost his entire BVB time. Was temporarily loaned to Bochum, where he caused a sensation by headbutting fellow player Vahid Hashemian after he had racially insulted him.
SEBASTIAN RODE
Came from Bayern Munich in 2016 for €12m – Stats: 14 games, 1 goal – sold to Eintracht Frankfurt for €4m in 2019.
Stars usually went from Dortmund to Munich, Rode chose the opposite route. Usually second choice in defensive midfield. After two years he was loaned back to Frankfurt, the SGE later bought him.
JULIAN SCHIEBER
Came from VfB Stuttgart in 2012 for 5.5 million euros – Statistics: 35 games, 3 goals – sold to Hertha BSC in 2014 for 2.5 million euros.
Had a hard time as Lewandowski’s backup, but was never able to take advantage of his chances. After all: In the legendary 3: 2 against Malaga, he somehow muddled the ball over the goal line in injury time.
ANDRÉ SCHÜRRLE
Came from VfL Wolfsburg in 2016 for 30 million euros – Statistics: 33 Bundesliga games, 3 goals – Ended his career in the summer of 2020 after several loan deals (Fulham, Spartak Moscow).
In 2016 he was Dortmund’s new record striker, but he rarely showed his goal instincts in the Westfalenstadion. Even after loan deals, the national player was never able to gain a foothold at BVB and ended his career at the age of just 29.
JAN-DEREK SORENSEN
Came from Rosenborg Trondheim in 2001 for €0.8m – Stats: 24 games, 0 goals – Joined FK Lyn on a free transfer in 2003.
Net three times against BVB in the premier class, then Borussia bought the Norwegian, who had actually already signed with 1860. In black and yellow, however, Sörensen jammed and did not score a single goal in two years.
ANDRIY YARMOLENKO
Came from Dynamo Kyiv in 2017 for €25m – Stats: 18 games, 3 goals – Sold to West Ham United in 2018 for €20m.
The Ukrainian dared to make the leap abroad late, but the winger was never really able to settle down. After only three goals, BVB sold the man with the fine foot to the Premier League at a loss.
