'I was ready to leave' - Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri on joining Borussia Dortmund
Ethan Nwaneri didn't think twice about joining Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan from Arsenal, especially with England U21 teammate Jobe Bellingham in his ear.
Nwaneri's move follows a serious injury to summer signing Giannis Konstantelias, who tore his ACL on Bundesliga Matchday 1. The 19-year-old has already gained experience abroad, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, and is chomping at the bit to prove himself in the Bundesliga.
"As soon as I heard about BVB's interest and a meeting took place, everything developed very quickly," Nwaneri told the Dortmund website. "After just a few hours, there were advanced talks taking place behind the scenes. As soon as I learned of their interest, I was ready to leave."
The presence of another young Englishman at the club, Jobe Bellingham, only strengthened Dortmund's case. The 20-year-old midfielder is entering his second season at BVB, and is also a teammate of Nwaneri's with the England U21s.
"I've spoken to Jobe in the last few days," Nwaneri revealed. "He asked: 'What's going on with you?' And I told him that I couldn't really say yet. But we talked a lot. And he kept saying that I should come to BVB. I'm happy that we'll now be playing side by side."
Nwaneri has made 51 appearances for Arsenal since becoming the Premier League's youngest debutant in 2022, aged 15 years and 181 days, and already has an idea of what to expect from a new footballing culture after his recent spell at Marseille.
"I think it's definitely easier now," the English forward said, having scored twice in 11 appearances for Marseille, as well as 10 times in an Arsenal shirt. "The first time, you really leave your comfort zone, it's completely new territory. But now I'm more relaxed, more open, and mentally better prepared. I'm used to it by now."
Nwaneri could make his debut when Dortmund - who beat Hamburg in their Bundesliga opener last weekend and progressed to the DFB Cup second round on transfer deadline day - travel to Hoffenheim on Saturday.
"I'm here and I'm going to fight for my place in the team. I'm going to give it my all, as much and as well as I can."
