A player from Borussia Dortmund’s youth team has signed his first senior contract. He is moving to the Netherlands.

After five years in Borussia Dortmund’s youth team, Michel Ludwig is about to make the jump to the senior level. However, the 18-year-old talent will not be playing for BVB, but for the Dutch second-division club Helmond Sport.

Ludwig has signed his first professional contract there – for two years with an option for a third season. This was announced by the club recently.

The central midfielder was part of the Dortmund U19 squad in the past two seasons. In 2022, Ludwig celebrated the German championship under coach Mike Tullberg, but he did not play in the final (2:1 against Hertha BSC).

Things were different in the last round: Ludwig was a regular in the U19 Bundesliga West for Borussia, who once again reached the final of the championship. This time Ludwig was in the starting eleven – and experienced a 2:4 defeat against Mainz 05 with his team.

Ludwig with 26 appearances for BVB U19 in 2022/23

In total, the Itzehoer-born player, who came to the Ruhr area from FC St. Pauli in 2018, played 26 competitive games this season. He also made appearances in the Youth League, the special match round and the DFB Cup for juniors.

Ludwig has now chosen Helmond Sport as the first station in his professional career. The club from near Eindhoven finished 16th in the Keuken Kampion Divisie and is coached by former Belgian international Bob Peeters.

“For me, this is the best chance to make the transition to the adults,” Ludwig explained his move in a statement from the club. “Dutch football is less based on physicality, more on possession. I also noticed that when I played an international match with the German U15 against the Dutch U15.” He wants to be a player “who gives the team offensive impetus from midfield”, Ludwig continued.