Jesper Verlaat signs three-year deal with Dortmund Under-23

Dutch defender Jesper Verlaat, 30, will join Borussia Dortmund’s Under‑23 side next season, moving from 1860 München on a three‑year contract, the club announced today via its official channels. The centre‑back brings 239 third‑tier German league matches and valuable experience to a youthful defence.

Ingo Preuß, technical director of the Under‑23 team, said: "Met Jesper krijgen we een ervaren speler voor het centrum van de verdediging. Hij zal van belangrijke waarde zijn voor onze jonge spelers, zowel op als buiten het veld". Preuß highlighted Verlaat’s experience as a key asset for the squad.

Verlaat’s 2023‑24 season was limited to seven appearances for 1860 München because of injuries. His last match on 17 September ended after 38 minutes when he suffered a muscle injury.

The Dutch defender has never played for a Dutch club. After spells in Germany, Austria and Portugal, he entered Werder Bremen’s academy in the summer of 2012, moved to Sandhausen in 2018, then spent two years at Waldhof Mannheim before signing for 1860 München, where he has been since mid‑2022.

Borussia Dortmund’s Under‑23 side competes in the Regionalliga West, a league that also features the second teams of Schalke 04, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Köln.