Mats Hummels Announce Exit From Borussia Dortmund

On Friday, Borussia Dortmund revealed that midfielder Mats Hummels will be departing the team after a 13-year tenure.

This news of Hummels’ exit follows a day after it was announced that coach Edin Terzic would be stepping down from his position, a decision made just two weeks after their successful run to the Champions League final.

Throughout his time at Dortmund, Hummels has achieved great success, winning two Bundesliga championships and two DFB-Pokal trophies, as well as clinching a spot in the Champions League final in both 2013 and 2024.

“Dear fans, my time in black and yellow is now coming to an end after a total of over 13 years. It was a huge honour and joy for me to have played for BVB for so long,” Hummels said in a statement.

“I will be cheering from afar and hopefully in the stadium from time to time. I will miss you.”

At the age of 35, Hummels has turned back the hands of time during this season, playing a crucial role in Dortmund’s journey to the UEFA Champions League final and earning a spot in the UEFA Team of the Season.

During the lead-up to the Wembley final, Hummels publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with Terzic’s approach, especially his emphasis on defensive play over an attacking strategy.

Hummels expressed feeling “submissive” and believed his “respect” was undermined by having to wear the Dortmund jersey on the field.

The 2014 World Cup champion has indicated his intention to continue his career, expressing a preference for either a transfer to another German club or elsewhere in Europe to be near his son, who resides in Munich.

The German press has mentioned Hummels as a potential target for AC Milan in Serie A.

Reacting to the latest announcement, Dortmund sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, who played alongside Hummels at the club, said “Without a doubt, we are losing an outstanding personality in Mats Hummels,” calling the defender “one of the last of his kind in football.

“During his career, Mats not only shaped BVB but also raised the central defender game to a new level worldwide. He won titles with us, not least the first double in our club’s history.

Sportxparte reports that in 2016, Hummels departed Dortmund to join his childhood club, Bayern Munich, only to make a comeback in 2019. This season, he is accompanied by another long-standing Dortmund player, forward Marco Reus, in bidding farewell to the club.