DORTMUND, GERMANY (AP) – Borussia Dortmund signed Algeria international Ramy Bensebaini on a free transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach, making the left back its first reinforcement of the summer on Monday. Bensebaini replaces Portugal left back Raphaël Guerreiro, who also allowed his contract expire, and Dortmund said that the 28-year-old Bensebaini had signed a four-year deal.
“Ramy is a player in his prime,” said Dortmund Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl, who referred to the Algerian’s experience playing in the Bundesliga, French league and European competition, as well as at international level.
“We’re certain that his sporting development is not yet finished. In our talks with him, we’ve seen an absolute will to go on the attack and compete for titles with Borussia Dortmund,” Kehl said.
Bensebaini joined Gladbach in 2019 from French team Rennes for a reported fee of EUR7.5 million (USD8 million).
He then scored 19 goals in 95 Bundesliga appearances for “the Foals”. He previously played for Montpellier in France, Lierse in Belgium, and Paradou AC and CS Constantine in Algeria.
Guerreiro had scored 30 goals in 162 Bundesliga games altogether for Dortmund. It’s not yet clear where he will play next, though he is reportedly a target for former Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel at league rival Bayern Munich.