Mario Gotze
The attacking midfielder is Dortmund’s youth product having joined the club at a tender age of eight. Despite his young age the dynamic midfielder has already made 116 appearances for his side. The 20 year old is currently enjoying his best campaign having scored 12 and assisted 14 goals this season.
However on the 23rd of April, Dortmund fans were greeted with heartbreaking news as rivals Bayern Munich decided to trigger the midfielder’s 37 million euros buyout clause, making the midfield prodigy the most expensive German player of all time.
Shinji Kagawa
Signed in the summer of 2010 from Japanese outfit Cerezo for a modest 350,000 Euros, Kagawa soon became one of the most important players in the team. He scored his first goal for the club against FK Qarabağ in a UEFA Champions League qualification tie, and notched a goal in the return leg to guarantee his side a run in the Champions League.
His antics in his debut season at Dortmund, guided the side to their first league title in nine years and the creative midfielder soon became a fan favourite at the Signal Iduna Park.
However Manchester United soon came calling and the Japanese was unable to turn down such a lucrative offer. In the summer of 2012, after just two seasons at the club, Shinji sealed a move to Old Trafford.
Lucas Barrios
Even though he was never able to establish a super-star status at the club, the Paraguayan was instrumental in the back to back league titles Dortmund won especially the first one in 2010/2011 season. The strike scored 23 goals in 36 appearances in his first season at the club and was able to inspire the team break into the Champions League. His second season at the club culminated 21 goals and inspired Dortmund to a league title.
The arrival of Polish star Robert Lewandowski however limited the striker’s appearances for the club who in the summer of 2012 left for Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.
Nuri Sahin
Dortmund’s youth product played a huge role in the transformation of Dortmund as one of the leading clubs in Germany. On the 6th of August 2005 he became the youngest player to have played in the Bundesliga.
The Turkish international soon became one of the most important players in the side, and in 2011 he was rewarded for his efforts by being voted as the player of the season in Germany.
His excellent performances caught the eye of many European heavyweights including Real Madrid, who signed him in the summer of 2011.
Kevin Prince Boateng
The Ghana international was signed on loan from Tottenham, with an option to buy the player by the end of the season. However Dortmund were not able to make use of the clause, and Boateng left the club at the end of the season.
Two years later the midfielder guided AC Milan to their first league title in 2004 and would go on to become one of the most important players in the side.
Steven Pienaar
The South African international who currently plays his trade at Premier League side Everton, spent two season at Dortmund. Signed from Dutch side Ajax, the midfielder was expected to fill the void created by Arsenal bound Tomas Rosicky.
The midfielder was never able to find his feet in Germany, and after two disappointing seasons at the club he left for Everton in 2008.
Christoph metzelder
Signed from Preußen Münster in 2000, the German international was an instant success at the club. His performances earned him his first international cap in 2001 and he soon became a first team regular for Germany.
His refusal to renew his contract in 2007 attracted suitors, and Real Madrid captured the centre back on a free transfer.
Tomas Rosicky
Signed for a German record fee 14.5 million Euros, the Czech star soon established himself as one of the most important players in the side. However Dortmund were soon struck with financial predicaments, and the ‘little mozart’ as he was referred to was sold to Arsenal in 2006.
Torsten Frings
Following a monumental FIFA World Cup 2002 campaign, Frings soon became the hottest property in Europe. Frings however opted for a four year deal with Borussia Dortmund. In his two seasons at the club, the central midfielder made 63 appearances scoring 12 goals for his side.
Dortmund were however unable to hold on to their star player for long with an offer from Bayern Munich on the table, Frings was unable to resist the temptation and signed for the German giants in 2004.
Jens Lehman
Despite his poor disciplinary record at the club, Lehman was regarded as an important player in the side. His first season at the club was rather disappointing, and rumours soon started circulating of his impending departure.
However he redeemed himself and produced splendid performances in his second season at the club. Lehman’s performances guided Die Borussen to a league title as well as a Champions League final berth.
His inconsistency soon drove him out of the club, and in the summer of 2003 he joined Arsenal where in his first season he was part of the Arsenal team which went the entire season unbeaten in the league. Moreover in contrast to his past performances, the cocky goalkeeper soon developed consistency in his performances and holds the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League.
One has to commend Borussia Dortmund for their tremendous character and their flexibility in being able to deal with star players leaving the club season after season. Even though Dortmund is starting to become a feeder club for the biggest clubs in Europe, Die Borussen continue to grow from strength to strength. Perhaps winning the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on Saturday, will bring an end to this constant outflow of talent from the club.
