Julian Ryerson is Borussia Dortmund's unlikely hero as title charge takes shape
As Borussia Dortmund continue their Bundesliga title push, right-back Julian Ryerson has developed into one of Niko Kovač’s most important players. With 12 games of the season remaining, one of the top flight’s most understated players could soon get his hands on the biggest prize in German football…
Ever since making the switch to Signal Iduna Park from Union Berlin in January 2023, Ryerson has been consistently reliable. That remains the case this term, with the Norway international missing just two Bundesliga matches and helping his side concede just 20 goals in the competition, the second-lowest total behind league-leaders Bayern Munich.
However, unlike in previous terms, Ryerson has been able to add attacking threat in the final third to his game. His 11 league assists are second only to Michael Olise, with his performance against Mainz on Matchday 22 – a game in which he created all four goals in a 4-0 victory – one for the ages.
Watch: Ryerson's four assists against Mainz
“I’m always trying to get better and improve myself,” he explained in a sit-down interview with the Bundesliga. “I’m still progressing, and I feel like I’m playing better every season, even every month. Of course, form isn’t always linear, but I still feel like I’m improving and getting better.”
Ryerson may rarely grab the headlines, but his quality has never been in doubt ever since he joined Union in 2019, when they were still in the second tier. While he only played eight times in Bundesliga 2 and was not an immediate starter upon his arrival, that experience clearly had an impact on the 28-year-old’s career.
“You learn things and pick things up, but most of all, you learn how to deal with yourself and progress as a person. If you’re not playing every game, you learn patience. Playing is the most important thing for me, but understanding development and trusting the process are equally important. It was a good learning experience.”
Competing for a spot with club legend and captain Christopher Trimmel at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei, Ryerson had to bide his time, but he put his versatility to good use to force his way into Urs Fischer’s plans. Although he did feature in his favoured position, he was often deployed at left-back and even in central midfield.
“My time in Berlin was amazing,” Ryerson explains. “From the moment I arrived, it felt like one big upswing. Even when you lost, it was still a nice place to be.”
As the Iron Ones defied their status as comparative minnows each season, Ryerson’s stock grew and grew until Dortmund decided to shore up the right side of their defence by acquiring him midway through the 2022/23 campaign. In the Ruhr, he was pinpointed as an important player from the off, missing just two Bundesliga games out of the remaining 19 of the season.
Now the clear number-one choice at right-back, Ryerson’s time at Dortmund has been symbolised by near misses. That 2022/23 term saw BVB miss out on the Bundesliga title on the final day of the season after failing to beat Mainz at home, and he played 10 of the side’s 13 games on the way to the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, which they lost 2-0.
After a dip last term, Dortmund have returned to their best this time around. Their 51-point haul from 22 games is the second-highest in club history and has put them within six of Bayern at the top of the table despite the Bavarians’ 18-game unbeaten start.
The improvement is undeniable, and it is certainly not lost on Ryerson. “We’ve had ups and downs, but defensively we’ve been stable, and that starts with everyone, not just the back line. It’s a team effort. It’s a good accomplishment for the whole team.”
Watch: Dortmund's top 5 goals this season
Standing on the top step of the podium would give Ryerson one up over former Dortmund striker, compatriot and world superstar Erling Haaland. Following the end of the season, the two will join forces at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Norway’s first participation at the showpiece in 28 years.
When asked who he thinks will be crowned world champions in the USA, Ryerson was in no mood to play down his side’s chances. “If you’re in a competition, you want to win it. You don’t go into a tournament to give up, you want to go as far as possible and win every game. So taking that into account, I’m going to say us.”
Dortmund’s number 26 also tipped Haaland to be the competition’s top goalscorer. Should Ryerson provide the centre-forward with the same quality of crosses that he has for his club teammates in 2025/26, you would be a brave man to bet against it.
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