Former Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder and World Cup winner Mario Gotze has completed his return to the Bundesliga after two years with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. The 30-year-old has been signed by Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year contract, after Oliver Glasner’s side activated a €4m release clause.
Gotze made 52 appearances for PSV last season, scoring 12 goals and assisting 11. His contributions were key to PSV’s success, winning the Dutch cup and finishing second in the Eredivisie. After he made his intention to leave PSV known, several clubs were said to be interested in securing his signature, including AC Milan and Benfica. But the former German international chose Frankfurt as his destination.
Eintracht Frankfurt, winners of last season’s Europa League, will play in the Champions League this season. Gotze’s experience will make him a valuable addition to their attack. The Eagles have also bolstered their squad with winger Jens Petter Hauge, defender Hrvoje Smolcic and a raft of free signings.
Born in Memmingen, Gotze is a product of Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy. He made his senior team debut for the club in 2009 as a teenager. In a four-year first spell at Dortmund, he won two Bundesliga titles and a German cup. Bayern Munich signed him in 2013, with whom he won three league titles, two German cups and the Club World Cup. He returned to Dortmund in 2016, winning a German cup, before moving to PSV in 2020.
Capped 63 times for Germany, the playmaker is best known for scoring the winning goal in extra-time against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup Final. That goal gave Die Mannschaft their fourth World Cup trophy.