Borussia Dortmund have strengthened their defence with the capture of VfB Stuttgart captain, and Germany international, Waldemar Anton.
Anton joins the cub on a four-year deal until 30 June 2028. The 27-year-old's arrival will plug the gap left by Mats Hummels, who departed Dortmund at the end of the season. He is new coach Nuri Şahin's first signing.
"I'm really looking forward to my first game at Signal Iduna Park, the fans and my new teammates," Anton said. "I wasn't originally planning to change clubs, but then Borussia Dortmund came along - a top club that had just reached the Champions League final. That shows what potential this club has. Everyone at BVB gave me the feeling right from the start that they really wanted to sign me and that I could and should play an important role. I'm really up for it."
Born in Uzbekistan, Anton moved to Germany as a child and became a full Germany international in March on the back of an impressive 2023/24 campaign that also earned him a spot in Julian Nagelsmann's UEFA Euro 2024 squad.
Having helped Stuttgart avoid relegation via the play-offs the previous year, Anton took on the club's captaincy last term and led VfB to a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga - their best finish since winning the title in 2007.
Dortmund, meanwhile, could only place fifth but their run to the UEFA Champions League final helped ensure their return to the competition alongside Stuttgart next season.
"Waldemar Anton has developed into a top Bundesliga defender in the Bundesliga, who led Stuttgart to into the Champions League," said Dortmund managing director of sport, Lars Ricken. "He had first-class options at home and abroad this summer. We're delighted he chose Dortmund, after intensive and positive discussions."
Watch: The best of Waldemar Anton
Anton, who started his career at Hannover, will report for duty with his new team on 10 July, before heading to pre-season camps in Japan (19 July to 25 July) and Switzerland (1 to 9 August).
He could make his senior debut for the club in the DFB Cup when Dortmund face Lübeck in the first round between 16-19 August. BVB host Eintracht Frankfurt in their 2024/25 Bundesliga opener on 24 August.