Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Ousmane Dembele joins Borussia Dortmund from Rennes

Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of Ousmane Dembele from Rennes.

Dembele, 18, has agreed a contract at the Westfalenstadion until 2021 and is reported to have cost around €15 million.

The forward, who joined Rennes as a 13-year-old in 2010, made his Ligue 1 debut in November and has quickly established himself as one of France's brightest talents.

"Ousmane can play nearly every attacking position," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told the club's official website. "He's strong in one-on-one situations, he plays with both feet, is skilful, fast and is dangerous in front of the goal."

Dembele, who was recently named Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year, has been linked with a host of top European clubs and said this week that he had rejected interest from Premier League champions Leicester City. 

"The way he stood his ground for such a long time in the face of the numerous high-quality offers from all over Europe commands my respect," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said. "It's not a given and shows his character."

Dortmund said in the official statement that they have been following Dembele, who scored 12 goals in 25 matches in his first Ligue 1 season, for a number of years.

"Ousmane has always given us the impression that his sole wish is to play our intense football for this special club in our unique stadium," Watzke said.

Dembele, who was reported to have attracted interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, said: "Dortmund were after me early and always kept contact.

"I can't wait to play in the Bundesliga in front of 80,000 at the Westfalenstadion and take to the pitch in the Champions League with my new teammates."

Dembele's arrival is a welcome boost for Dortmund in a week in which captain Mats Hummel's summer transfer to Bayern was confirmed. 

They are also trying to convince Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to sign new long-term contracts. 

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