Borussia Dortmund confirm Germany international Julian Brandt will leave as free agent after seven years with Bundesliga giants

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club as a free agent when his contract expires this summer, ending a seven-year tenure. The 29-year-old's departure was announced by Sporting CEO Lars Ricken following Dortmund's 2-1 win over Koln, who described the decision as a mutual agreement reached after open discussions.

Ricken expressed gratitude for Brandt's service, noting he played "a few hundred games" for the club over seven years, despite sometimes facing criticism. The CEO framed the departure as an opportunity for both parties to "reorient," emphasizing the split is amicable and done "with a lot of appreciation." Brandt, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 for around €25 million, has been a key creative figure, known for his technical skill and vision.

Even in his final games, Brandt demonstrated his value, providing an assist in the match against Koln. Pundit Lothar Matthaus praised his impact, calling him a player who "frequently made the difference" and noted his professional conduct throughout his time at Dortmund.

With Brandt's exit confirmed, Dortmund's focus shifts to other contract situations, particularly that of defender Nico Schlotterbeck. Ricken stated that Brandt's departure has "no influence" on negotiations with other players, as the club aims to secure its defensive core for the future.