Axel Witsel is set for his first crack at one of Europe’s top five leagues after agreeing a move from Tianjin Quanjian to Borussia Dortmund.
Belgium international Witsel, who will sign a four-year deal with the Bundesliga side after they agreed to pay his release clause, has long been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but his career has generally taken routes less travelled.
Having started at Standard Liege, Witsel made the jump to Benfica for a season, before spending four years in Russia with Zenit.
Witsel joined Tianjin for a figure understood to be in the region of €20m in January 2017, scoring the club’s first ever goal in the Chinese Super League.
Witsel played a significant role in Belgium’s World Cup campaign, as they beat England in the third-place play-off earlier this month.
And Dortmund seemingly saw enough from his performances to make a move, with the holding midfielder adding both depth and experience to a young squad.
“I’m totally happy and also proud to be allowed to play for BVB soon.
“After our first conversation, I did not have to think twice, because for me Borussia Dortmund is one of the best clubs on the continent. Honestly, I can not wait to run around in front of 81,000 people.”
Sporting director Michael Zorc hailed the 29-year-old as a perfect fit for the club.
“We have been very interested in signing Axel Witsel for many months and are very happy that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund,” he said.
“Axel is a player with a great deal of international experience who has all the skills to shape BVB’s central midfield: tactical understanding, tackling power, speed, creativity and mentality.”
Reports suggest the move will pave the way for Julian Weigl to depart, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City reportedly interested.
Witsel’s first goal in an competitive international match came a day short of three years after the Morocco goal, in the sixth minute against Austria in Group A of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying process, and his second would come in the second half. However, Belgian hopes of qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 were dashed on 11 October 2011, by defeat to Germany coupled with Turkey’s victory over Azerbaijan.
On 13 May 2014, Witsel was named in Belgium’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He started in midfield in the team’s first game of the tournament, a 2–1 win against Algeria in Belo Horizonte.
Witsel also featured in the Belgian squad at UEFA Euro 2016, announced on 31 May 2016. He scored his first tournament goal during the Championships, in a Group E match against the Republic of Ireland.