Whole package costs over 10 million
While Anthony Modeste started training at his new club Borussia Dortmund, sports director Sebastian Kehl explained why BVB let the storm veteran from 1. FC Köln in the first place. The 34-year-old striker, who was signed the night before, was greeted with applause by around 1,000 football fans at the public session on Tuesday. “His signing makes a lot of sense for us. It will do us good,” said Kehl.
The transfer of the Frenchman, which cost around 5 million euros and is intended to replace newcomer Sébastien Haller, who is suffering from a tumour, was initially only given a contract for the season that has just started. The salary should slightly exceed the amount of the transfer fee, so that an eight-digit total volume is required for Modeste. Kehl said: “The general conditions were not easy for us. But we were able to create an absolutely ideal solution. We believe that Tony fits our profile exactly. He gives our team something that we don’t currently have due to Sébastien Haller’s illness.”
Because Modeste knows the league, he will be able to integrate quickly, said Kehl. The attacker, who had already left FC once for China and now for Dortmund, also speaks good German and has proven that he can score goals. In the last season, Modeste delivered 20 of those for the billy goats.
Modeste on BVB change from Cologne: Champions League chance will not come again
“Tony is really looking forward to the Champions League and wants to prove himself at this level. He’s really into it. So I think it fits very, very well,” Kehl continues. He explained why Modeste went from Cologne to Borussia when he addressed FC supporters with emotional words on the day of the transfer. He knew that this day would come and always hoped that it would come as late as possible, Modeste wrote on Instagram as a farewell. “But certain realities of football mean you can’t control fate.”
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During his time in the cathedral city, Modeste said: “One cannot forget 7 years in life. I signed for FC on the day my son was born. That will be etched in my heart forever.”
Modeste emphasized that he remains an ardent supporter of 1. FC Köln and highlighted the sporting prospects in Dortmund as the motive for his move. “As many might think, I’m not going for the money. I turned down big offers from the Gulf countries,” wrote the Frenchman. “It has always been my dream to experience the Champions League and now that opportunity has presented itself to me. I don’t think she will come again.”
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