GERMANY’S WORLD CUP hero Mario Gotze has returned home to Borussia Dortmund — three years after leaving the club for Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old, who had been heavily linked with a Premier League move to Liverpool, has agreed a four-year deal subject to a medical.
The move is reported to have cost Dortmund in the region of €26 million.
“When I switched from BVB to Bayern in 2013, that was a conscious decision that I will not hide behind today,” Gotze said.
“Three years later, and 24-years-old, I look at the decision with different eyes.
I know that many fans could not understand my decision. I wouldn’t take it today!
Gotze first joined Dortmund’s academy at the age of eight and after rising through the youth ranks, went on to make his first-team debut at the age of 17 in November 2009.
He won Bundesliga titles under Jurgen Klopp in 2011 and in 2012 before teaming up with childhood team-mate — and another hometown hero — Marco Reus in the 2012/2013 season as Dortmund reached the Champions League final where they were beaten by Bayern.
But the end of that campaign was overshadowed as Bayern triggered the €37 million release clause in Gotze’s contract, briefly making him the most expensive German player of all-time.
The exciting attacker went on to make 114 appearances in his three seasons at the Allianz Arena, scoring 36 goals.
But the highlight of his career so far came on the international stage when he was sprung from the bench in the closing minutes of the 2014 World Cup final and scored Germany’s winning goal against Argentina in extra time.
“When I return home I want to try to convince everybody, especially those who do not welcome me with open arms, with my performances,” Gotze added.
My aim is to play my best football again for all of us, the club, and the BVB fans.
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