- Borussia Dortmund have signed Yan Couto from Manchester City for £25 million
- The Brazilian international, who has never played for City, was loaned out in August
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Borussia Dortmund’s commitment to sign Yan Couto for £25 million has come into effect – just two months after he joined on loan from Manchester City.
The Brazilian international, who can play a variety of roles on the right flank, has made seven appearances for the Germans this season.
That is more than the zero league appearances he made at City after signing a five-year contract in March 2020.
City fought off competition from European heavyweights such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich to lure Couto from Brazilian club Coritiba when he was just 17.
Due to transfer rules, they had to wait until he was 18 before joining, but Couto wasn’t given much of a chance after arriving in the summer of 2020.
Borussia Dortmund have activated their £25 million commitment to buy Yan Couto from Man City
Couto never managed to play a competitive minute for Man City after signing in the summer of 2020
The 22-year-old has been loaned out three times to LaLiga club Girona – also part of the City Football Group – and once to Portuguese side Braga.
Last season he was part of the Girona team that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history by finishing third in LaLiga. He has also broken into the Brazilian national team, earning four caps in the last two years after winning the 2019 U17 World Cup.
Over the summer, Couto explained that his string of loans was always part of the plan.
‘When I signed I had meetings with Man City, they explained the project, that I would be loaned out.
‘There were clubs like Barcelona and Bayern, but I accepted it because I was a member of Man City itself.
‘There are two methods: going to the club or to the group.
‘It wasn’t what I wanted for my career, but I accepted it because I would get minutes.
‘Start at the bottom, but play. I have gained a lot of experience, 2,500, 3,000 minutes every season. I have improved a lot. Our relationship is very good.’
Couto, pictured with Endrick, has even earned four caps for Brazil, but was only loaned out by City
At Dortmund he has filled his boots with action, starting and coming on as a substitute in a mix of matches.
He started the 7-1 Champions League group stage win over Celtic earlier this month, a match that will live long in the memories of both groups of fans.