Justin Njinmah is showing strong performances for Borussia Dortmund’s U23s this year. Nevertheless, the signs are pointing to a farewell.

Borussia Dortmund’s U23s clinched a point at Erzgebirge Aue (3:3) on Monday evening, thus securing their relegation. Justin Njinmah played a major role in the team’s success.

The 22-year-old striker is one of the strongest offensive players in the 3rd division this calendar year. He scored ten goals and provided three assists after scoring only twice in the first half of the season. With his 17 goals, he is the U23’s best scorer.

And yet there are many indications that Njinmah will no longer play for BVB in the coming season, but will return in the summer to his regular club Werder Bremen, from whom he moved to the Ruhr area on loan a year and a half ago.

The Borussians have waived the option to buy the nimble attacker, which expires on 15 May. Bremen’s head of professional football Clemens Fritz confirmed this to the portal “Deichstube”. Fritz was quoted as saying that he was very satisfied with Njinmah’s development. “He is a permanent fixture with us for the new season.”

Bremen coach Ole Werner praises Njinmah

According to a report in the Bild newspaper, BVB could have signed Njinmah for three million euros – a lot of money for a third-league player. Njinmah made one appearance for Dortmund’s Bundesliga team during his one-and-a-half-year loan spell – he was substituted against RB Leipzig last September.

In Bremen, he should have the more realistic prospect of appearances in the top flight. “He has always worked well at every level after a certain period of adjustment. That’s why I trust him to take further steps,” said SVW coach Ole Werner a few days ago, describing Njinmah as a “very, very interesting” player.

However, a stay is probably not completely out of the question. After the expiry of the purchase option, Borussia could still try to enter into free negotiations with Bremen.