From hero to zero - Schlotterbeck signs a new contract but could already leave this summer

On Saturday afternoon, before the Bundesliga derby between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen at the Westfalenstadion — and again after the final whistle — fans booed Nico Schlotterbeck..

Just 24 hours earlier, one of Dortmund’s standout players had signed a new long-term contract running until 2031, smiling alongside club officials while holding up the yellow jersey. However, later that same night, details of the agreement — apparently not so well guarded — emerged, revealing a clause that allows Schlotterbeck to leave the club in just two or three months.

The feel-good atmosphere was abruptly shattered, and speculation quickly spread that negotiations had dragged on for nearly half a year because the two sides couldn’t agree on the size of the release clause. Now, multiple sources have confirmed: yes, it’s true — Schlotterbeck can leave Borussia this summer, and only three European clubs have the right to activate that clause.

As reported by Bild, two of those clubs are Liverpool and Real Madrid, while the identity of the third remains a closely kept secret. Already frustrated, Dortmund fans can only hope it isn’t their biggest rival Bayern Munich, who had been linked with Schlotterbeck in recent months.

After everything, it’s clear this isn’t exactly a love story, the German outlet concludes. What the reliable centre-back has done feels more like the beginning of a short-lived affair — one that will end the moment something new, better, or more lucrative appears. Of course, Schlotterbeck isn’t the first to do something like this, nor will he be the last, but what angered fans the most was the unnecessary “acting” during the contract signing.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be staying here. I deliberately took my time to make this decision because it’s a very important step for me. We had good talks over the past months. The people at the club presented me with an interesting plan, and I know what I have at Borussia. My goal is to win trophies with Borussia,” Schlotterbeck said on Friday.

What works in Dortmund’s favor is that there is a deadline for activating the clause. In that sense, Schlotterbeck can only make a move until the World Cup final, which would give Lars Ricken and Nils Ole Book plenty of time to find a replacement.

Schlotterbeck joined Borussia Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022 for €20 million. This season, he is playing the best football of his career and is currently regarded as Germany’s top centre-back.