What has been a long time coming is now official. Borussia Dortmund has signed Waldemar Anton from VfB Stuttgart. Contract until 2028
Waldemar Anton was one of the faces of a VfB Stuttgart that went from relegation candidates to runners-up in the space of one season. Now, however, the 27-year-old central defender is turning his back on the Swabians – and moving to Borussia Dortmund. As BVB announced on Monday, July 8, Anton has signed a contract until June 30, 2028. BVB did not reveal the transfer fee, but did reveal Anton’s shirt number: he will wear the number three in future
“I’m really looking forward to my first game at Signal Iduna Park, the fans and my teammates. I wasn’t originally planning to change clubs – but then Borussia Dortmund came along. A top club that had just reached the Champions League final. That shows what potential this club has. Everyone at BVB gave me the feeling right from the start that they really wanted to sign me and that I could and should play an important role. I’m really up for it,” said Anton.
Born in Almalyk, Uzbekistan, the central defender was an integral part of VfB Stuttgart’s back three last season. Anton made 33 Bundesliga appearances and four appearances in the DFB Cup, scoring once and providing three assists. For VfB, the departure of the 27-year-old is already the second loss in the traditional back three, after Hiroki Ito previously moved to FC Bayern Munich.
“Waldemar is a first-class central defender and a real boost for us. He is tactically well-trained, robust, a strong header and an absolute leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room, who has a positive effect on the inside and always strives for the maximum possible success. As an ambitious German international, he is a perfect fit for us and we are delighted that we have been able to inspire him to join us,” said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who crowned his strong season with his first European Championship appearance.
Anton came on as a substitute both in the round of 16 against Denmark (2:0) and in the quarter-final against Spain (1:2). Alongside Nico Schlotterbeck, who also plays for the national team, he is now set to form BVB’s central defensive duo of the future. Niklas Süle is also available as a third man, although he has been struggling with fitness problems of late.