Dortmund break Belgian record for 18‑year‑old Genk prodigy

In the evening of 21:07 today, Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of 18‑year‑old Konstantinos Karetsas from KRC Genk, a move confirmed by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. The German side agreed a record‑breaking fee of €33 million plus a future sell‑on clause, the highest ever received by the Belgian club.

Romano punctuated the news with his trademark exclamation: "Here we go". His announcement underscored the significance of the deal for both clubs.

Karetsas, a Greek attacking midfielder, will join the Bundesliga side after completing his development in Belgium. The transfer brings the young talent to a German top‑flight environment for the first time.

The player reportedly had two other offers on the table, but chose Dortmund following a visit to Germany and a discussion about the club’s project. He cited the project as a decisive factor in his decision.

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The €33 million fee eclipses Genk’s previous record outgoing transfer, which was Tolu Arokodare’s move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for €26 million last summer. The Nigerian striker is now on the verge of finalising a loan move to Ajax.

Karetsas spent the bulk of his formative years at KRC Genk, with a stint in the youth academy of RSC Anderlecht. Since breaking through at Genk, he has been regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Belgian football.

During his time with Genk, the 18‑year‑old featured in 92 matches, contributing six goals and 23 assists. His productivity has attracted attention from clubs across Europe.

On the international stage, Karetsas has earned ten caps for the Greek national team, scoring three times. Dortmund’s investment highlights their continued focus on securing elite young talent while setting a new financial benchmark for Belgian clubs.