Borussia Dortmund signs Lany Bäcker, an 18-year-old junior national player, on a free transfer from SGS Essen. The contract runs until June 30, 2029. However, Bäcker will be loaned back to Essen for the 2026/27 season. Managing director Svenja Schlenker explains: „Lany is a promising sporting component for our future.“ Bäcker herself says: „With professionalism and perspective, Dortmund is the perfect choice for me.“ Other news from BVB is the transfer of Jesper Verlaat, who comes from TSV 1860 Munich on a free transfer. Verlaat has signed until 2029 and will play for the BVB U23 team. Sports director Ingo Preuß explains: „With Jesper, we gain an experienced player for the defense center.“ Verlaat will initially work on becoming fully fit again after only playing seven competitive games in the previous season. Borussia Dortmund is also on the verge of completing the transfer of Julien Duranville to Olympique Lyon. The transfer fee consists of a fixed base amount and performance-related bonus payments, which can total around eight million euros. The BVB has secured its future and agreed on a 20 percent resale participation. Duranville was transferred to Dortmund from RSC Anderlecht in January 2023 for around 8.5 million euros and was considered one of the greatest talents of his generation at the time. However, his time at BVB was repeatedly hindered by injuries. Serra Schlesinger will become the new director of communications at Borussia Dortmund on August 1, 2026. She will succeed her predecessor and bring a lot of experience in the field of communications to support the BVB in its public relations work. Borussia Dortmund is preparing for the new season and will start its preseason preparations on Sunday. After two days of performance diagnostics, the first training session will take place on the pitch on June 23. Jesper Verlaat will participate in the preseason preparations with his new teammates. Lany Bäcker will focus on the U19 national team at the European Championship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borussia Dortmund hopes for a successful season and will do everything to achieve its goals.