Julian Brandt to be given fitting Borussia Dortmund farewell
Julian Brandt scored less than 15 minutes after coming off the bench on his Borussia Dortmund debut in 2019, setting the tone for a goal-filled seven-year stint at the club. Now set for his final game at Signal Iduna Park as a BVB player on Friday, the 30-year-old will be given a rousing send-off by fans, teammates and officials.
When Brandt arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2019, Dortmund were signing one of Germany’s most gifted attacking midfielders - and over the next seven full seasons, he proved exactly why.
Across 216 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, Brandt has delivered 43 goals and 50 assists. In fact, he reached double figures for goal involvements in six of those seven campaigns, underlining his importance as the most sought-after of commodities in football: a consistent creator and finisher.
There was also silverware along the way. Brandt played a key role in Dortmund’s DFB Cup triumph in 2021, one of the high points of his time in black and yellow and a reminder of his ability to step up on the big stage.
As impressive as his numbers are, however, Brandt’s departure is being felt on a more personal level. Head coach Niko Kovač spoke warmly about the relationship between the two. “Jule and I have a very good relationship,” the coach said when the 30-year-old’s exit was confirmed in March. “Our relationship was good, is good and will always remain good.”
For his part, Brandt has struck a calm and measured tone when discussing what comes next.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out in principle,” he explained. “But there are certainly things I prefer, and other things I’m less keen on right now. There are one or two ideas, but one thing at a time.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to the club to suddenly start holding talks everywhere. You have to finish things properly, and then there’ll be enough time to see how things will continue. I’m not worried at all.”
Dortmund can secure the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga if they win Friday night’s Matchday 33 opener against Eintracht Frankfurt, but alongside the permutations and hypotheticals, the fixture will also be tinged by farewells.
Brandt will be given a fitting send-off alongside teammates Niklas Süle and Salih Özcan, who will also leave Dortmund this summer, with the trio set to be honoured by club officials in front of the famous Yellow Wall before kick-off against Frankfurt.
Whether Brandt starts or makes his final appearance from the bench remains undecided, though. “I have my thoughts,” said Kovač. “I used to be a player so I know what it means, whether you start or come on.”
Either way, the stage is set. For a player who has spent seven years lighting up Signal Iduna Park with goals, assists and moments of inspiration, a fitting send-off awaits.
