Champions League finalist footballer looks unrecognisable after dramatic weight loss – having been pictured looking out of shape and being warned about his fitness by his manager

Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Sule has undergone a major transformation, just over a month after facing criticism over his weight.

The 28-year-old player went viral on social media after appearing to be out of form ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid in May.

As reported by ImageSule was told by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl and general manager Lars Ricken that he needs to work hard on his weight if he wants another chance at the club.

He went on holiday with a fitness trainer to get back in shape and has since undergone an impressive transformation: he has lost eight kilos.

Sule now looks a lot slimmer and his new look was clearly on display when he reported to both Kehl and Ricken on the first day of pre-season training this week.

Sule was previously criticised by former Germany international Markus Babbel for looking too heavy.

Babbel was manager of Hoffenheim in 2012, when Sule was still a youth player at the club.

Former Liverpool player Babbel claimed Sule ate pizza and kebab too often.

In a speech last October, Babbel said Sport1: ‘Sule is good, but just not very good.

“I think he struggles with the discipline to do everything right. When you carry three or four kilos more, you notice it at this level.

‘There was also the topic of eating pizza six times a week and kebab eight times. That doesn’t work.

“That doesn’t mean he can’t do it at all. Sometimes you need a treat, that’s fine. But you can’t do that every day.”

Sule has made 72 appearances for Dortmund since joining the club in 2022.

He previously played for Bayern Munich, after joining from Hoffenheim in 2017.