Dortmund’s €30 million gamble on 18‑year‑old Greek prodigy

Borussia Dortmund have completed the €30 million signing of 18‑year‑old Greek midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, with the deal announced on 3 August 2026 at 13:53 CEST. The transfer was confirmed by the club and the player’s representatives, marking another high‑profile acquisition for the German side.

El Borussia Dortmund has built a reputation for spotting and nurturing young talent, a strategy that has produced stars such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Ousmane Dembélé. Those players were recruited at an early age and later moved on to even larger clubs, reinforcing Dortmund’s model of early investment.

The latest addition to that pipeline is Konstantinos Karetsas, an 18‑year‑old Greek midfielder whose signing was made official on Monday. The young international arrives from Genk in the Belgian Pro League, where he impressed with his creative play.

The transfer fee stands at €30 million and the contract runs until 2031, securing Karetsas’s services for the next seven seasons. Dortmund’s sporting director described the deal as a long‑term commitment to the player’s development.

Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s director general of Sports, said: “Con Kos, we bring a player who, at just 18, already possesses extraordinary talent. We are delighted to have convinced him of our vision, and from the first moment of our talks we sensed his eagerness to join the BVB.” He added that the club still sees further potential to nurture.

Karetsas featured in 34 Jupiler Pro League matches last season, delivering 11 assists from midfield. In the Europa League he played 11 games for Genk, scoring two goals and providing five assists as the Belgian side reached the round of 16.

On the international stage, the Greek youngster has already earned 10 caps, netting three goals and adding one assist for his country. His performances have drawn attention from several top European clubs.

Speaking after the announcement, the new signing expressed his enthusiasm: “I am incredibly proud to wear the black‑and‑yellow shirt of Borussia Dortmund. I look forward to meeting my teammates and soon playing in front of our fans at the Signal Iduna Park. I want to contribute my grain of sand to our collective success.”

The accompanying image, captured by SoléPeriodista, shows the young midfielder with the Signal Iduna Park stadium in the background. The photo credit reads SoléPeriodista, Periodista, and the article was Actualizado el 03/08/2026 13:53 CEST.