Dortmund unveil Kehl
Friday, January 4, 2002
Article summary
German international Sebastian Kehl has completed his mid-season move to BV Borussia Dortmund.
Article body
Germany defender Sebastian Kehl has joined BV Borussia Dortmund, completing his mid-season transfer from SC Freiburg after spurning a lucrative offer from champions FC Bayern München.
First training session
Accompanied by around 50 journalists and a crowd of 500 fans, Kehl attended his first training session after the winter break in Dortmund. Bayern say Kehl, 21, had accepted a €765,000 signing-on bonus and promised to join the side at the conclusion of this season. But Kehl, who has reportedly signed a four-year deal with Dortmund, later sent the bonus back and moved to the Westfalenstadion. "I see a great future in Dortmund," said Kehl on Friday. "I want to prove that I have a clean character."
Title dominance
The battle for Kehl was a bitter one between the most dominant German teams in recent years, with Bayern commercial manager Uli Hoeness revealing the Bavarian club are seeking compensation from Dortmund for the 'loss' of the player. The two clubs have claimed seven of the last eight 1. Bundesliga titles and two of the last five UEFA Champions League crowns. Dortmund are currently in second place in the table, with Bayern fifth.
Stylish libero
Considered one of the most promising young players in Germany, Kehl is a stylish libero with a taste for classy moves forward. Some have compared him to Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer. Kehl caught the eye of Germany coach Rudi Völler last year and won his first cap in August against Hungary, when he played a full 90 minutes in a 5-2 win.
Four-year deal
According to German media reports, Dortmund paid Freiburg a transfer fee of €3.27m - a far greater sum than they would have received had Kehl left at the end of the season. "The last three weeks have been hard for me," Kehl said, admitting as a boy he had been a Bayern fan even though his father was a Dortmund follower. "But it's all over now. I got a good reception here in Dortmund. I'm glad to be here."
Sammer 'delighted'
Dortmund trainer Matthias Sammer, also a former Germany libero, said he was confident Kehl would prove his worth. "I'm delighted to have him," Sammer said. "I am counting on him performing right away, but we won't be dependent on him. I am not expecting any miracles from him. He needs to look forward now, not backwards anymore."
