Aarón Anselmino: Who is Borussia Dortmund's new Argentinian centre-back?
Borussia Dortmund have boosted their defensive options with the loan signing of Aarón Anselmino from Chelsea. Let’s take a look at the 20-year-old’s journey to Signal Iduna Park…
Data correct as of 27 August 2025
Aarón Anselmino
Age: 20 (born 29 April 2005)
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Centre-back
Country: Argentina
Key stats
Born in the rural town of Bernardo Larroudé in 2005, Anselmino was spotted by Boca Juniors at the age of 12 and subsequently spent the remainder of his formative years with the Argentinian giants. After winning the 2022 Evo Cup, a South American youth tournament, the defender signed his first professional contract in June 2023.
His debut came on the same day that he put pen to paper, with the youngster being introduced as a subtitute in a 1-1 draw with Lanús. That was one of five appearances he made in 2023, which he followed up with a further 18 in 2024 – he also scored his first two senior goals that year.
His constant minutes and impressive performances attracted the interest of Chelsea, who secured his services in August 2024. He was originally meant to stay at Boca on loan for 12 months before moving to London, but the Blues decided he would be better off at Stamford Bridge from January.
First-team minutes proved hard to come by, but he eventually made his debut in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 victory over Benfica as Chelsea went on to win the trophy.
Plays a bit like… Nico Schlotterbeck
While injuries have occasionally hampered his development, Schlotterbeck has developed into one of Dortmund’s most important players. Anselmino, meanwhile, is of a similar build to the Germany international, while also possessing pace and defensive aggression akin to his new teammate. He, too, has had his own injury issues, having previously struggled with a muscle tear in his homeland.
In 2024/25, Schlotterbeck showed his creative ability by providing four assists in the Bundesliga, one more than Anselmino in his 12 2024 league outings. This term, the two could form a strong partnership and understanding as the season progresses.
Did you know?
Anselmino will be the sixth Argentinian player to feature for Dortmund. Leonardo Balerdi, Diego Klimowicz, Juan Fernández, Leonardo Rodriguez and Pato Margetic are his predecessors in that department, with Klimowicz the only one to find the back of the net.
Watch: The best of Nico Schlotterbeck
What they’re saying?
“It was the debut of a little guy who did really very well. It seems like he had 200 games, the truth is that entering the Boca field and playing like he played… It's not easy and I'm very happy for him." – Former Boca head coach Jorge Almiron, who gave Anselmino his professional debut
"With the growth, the head he has and the desire to learn that he shows, he is on his way to being a great footballer.” – Boca president Juan Román Riquelme in early 2024
"We were watching Aarón during his time at Boca Juniors. He's a very good solution in our current situation. He's a talented player who's proven his qualities already at a young age in very heated stadiums. We'll now quickly integrate him because we need him immediately." - Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl
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