Borussia Dortmund have acquired midfielder Gonzalo Castro from fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Leverkusen.
Dortmund didn’t reveal the fee needed to see through this transfer, but word from German media details that a release clause of around $12.1 million (€11 million euros) was paid off.
Castro has made five appearances for his home country, Germany, after getting his debut in a 2007 against Denmark.
A standout in Bayer’s youth system, the 27-year-old, whose contract was set to expire in 2016, was called up to the first team in 2004, scoring 25 goals and assisting on 57 in 286 league appearances for Leverkusen since then.
“I wanted to give a new impetus to my career. But it was no easy decision. I had a fantastic time in Leverkusen all these years,” he said to his ex-squad’s website.
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Performing as both a defender and midfielder, Castro fits the needs of Dortmund and would help fill the void of Ilkay Gundogan’s likely departure. His addition also marked the very first signing under new manager Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
“We are delighted to have signed Gonzalo Castro -- an experienced, technically skilled midfielder, who can be used in different positions,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said, per the club’s official website.
Beating Werder Bremen 3-2 today to secure a Europa League spot, the Black and Yellows ended their 2014-15 season at seventh place in the table despite severe struggles at the year’s beginning.