Monday 6 June 2016 21:48, UK
Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rode for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old had two years left on his Bayern contract, but opted to move in a bid to gain more playing time and has signed a deal until 2020.
Rode joined Bayern on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2014, but failed to secure a regular place, making just 17 appearances last season.
The midfielder revealed after signing a four-year contract that he was delighted to be joining the club he supported as a boy.
"I am from childhood a Dortmund fan and therefore am really happy that it worked with the transfer to my favourite club," Rode told the club website.
"Thomas Tuchel is a class trainer. I am looking forward to the new challenge and my first home game in black and yellow in the Signal Iduna Park."
Tuchel, the Dortmund head coach, will be looking to go one league position better next season after finishing ten points behind rivals Bayern and Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc believes Rode will add the necessary quality to the squad.
"Sebastian Rode is a dynamic, combative and immensely valuable player. We are happy to have him join us."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge explained Rode had asked to be released from his deal with the Bundesliga champions and that the club wished him a happy future.
"Sebastian Rode asked us to release him from his contract because he thinks he has a chance to play on a regular basis in Dortmund," Rummenigge told the club website.
"We've granted this request. FC Bayern thanks Sebastian Rode for his commitment and his strong character in the last two years."
Dortmund moved for Rode after agreeing the sale of Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City last week and he becomes the fourth player to move to the Bundesliga runners-up this summer.
Marc Bartra's arrival was announced over the weekend, while promising youngsters Ousmane Dembele and Mikel Merino have also joined the club.
