New striker for the U23s: Akono signs for BVB

The Borussia Dortmund U23s have signed Cyrill Akono. The 22-year-old striker will join from league rivals SC Verl at the beginning of the 2023 calendar year and has penned a contract that runs until 30 June 2024.

"We were already interested in him in the summer, which makes it all the better that it's now worked out," said a delighted Ingo Preuß, the sporting director of the Borussia Dortmund U23s.

The 1.90m-tall striker predominantly came through the ranks at Preußen Münster and then enjoyed spells with 1. FSV Mainz 05 II and VfB Lübeck, before joining SC Verl in the summer of 2021. The former U19 international scored 20 goals across 77 appearances in the 3. Liga. He will lead the line for BVB from January onwards and will link up with the rest of Christian Preußer's team for the training camp in Belek (2-10 January).