Borussia Dortmund sign Andriy Yarmolenko after Ousmane Dembele exit
Monday 28 August 2017 16:01, UK
Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of forward Andriy Yarmolenko after Ousmane Dembele's move to Barcelona.
Yarmolenko, 27, will wear the No 9 shirt at the Bundesliga club after switching from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev to pen a four-year deal at the Westfalenstadion until June 2021.
The move comes on the same day Dembele completed his £97m move to La Liga giants Barcelona.
"I am very grateful that Dynamo Kiev have fulfilled my dream of being able to switch to a big European club. I will work hard in every training to help Borussia Dortmund achieve their highest goals - that's what I always do," Yarmolenko said.
Barcelona's pursuit of a replacement for Neymar had led them to Dembele, despite Dortmund initially insisting the France international would not be leaving.
Dortmund suspended Dembele indefinitely on August 10 when the 20-year-old boycotted training in protest after the German club rejected an opening bid from Barca.
Ultimately Dembele completed his move to the Nou Camp on Monday, and while Yarmolenko would appear a direct replacement for the forward, Dortmund indicated this was a transfer they have planned for some time.
"Andriy is a player we have been pursuing for a long time and who is on top level both at club level and in the service of the Ukrainian national team for football," said Dortmund's sports director, Michael Zorc.
