BUNDESLIGA – Jakub Błaszczykowski continues the trend

Dortmund’s Jakub Błaszczykowski.

Dortmund’s Jakub Błaszczykowski, or Kuba for short, capped off an amazing season by signing a new deal until 2018. Kuba signed for Borussia Dortmund back in 2007 after making the move from Polish side, Wisła Kraków. Known as a speedy winger and a great dribbler of the ball, Kuba soon made his presence felt. His performances in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons helped to contribute to Dortmund’s Bundesliga titles and 2011/12 DFB-Pokal cup with a 5-2 win over Bayern Munich, of which he contributed two assists.

 

(Kuba Blaszczykowski – Best Skills 2012/13 – Credit: chmielewskii)

 

The winger had already signed a new contract last summer, which would have ended in 2016, but most importantly this new deal removes his release clause. The previous contract’s clause was €15 million that resulted in attracting the attention of numerous clubs such as Juventus and Manchester City. Kuba responded to interest from other clubs by saying, “The question is where would I feel as good as I do in Dortmund?” BVB sporting director Michael Zorc commented on Kuba’s commitment to the club by saying, “Kuba is an important cornerstone of our side, both sportingly and as a person. He was a sensation throughout Europe last season and we’re delighted to be able to build a long-term future with him.”

“When my contract’s up, I’ll be able to look back on over a decade with BVB. That’s a long time in professional football nowadays.” Kuba stated, “It makes me extremely proud that a big club like Borussia Dortmund have shown such faith in me and are planning ahead long term with me. I’ve long felt this is my second home.”

Kuba signing the new deal with Dortmund until 2018. (Credit: Kuba’s FB)

Kuba’s commitment to Dortmund continues a trend of key players resigning with Sven Bender, Neven Subotic and Roman Weidenfeller agreeing new deals with the UEFA Champions League finalists. It comes at an important time for Dortmund who lost Mario Götze to league rivals, Bayern Munich, and possibly Robert Lewandowski in the same direction. In recent years Dortmund have made great strides in replacing key players with the arrival of İlkay Gündoğan for Nuri Şahin in 2011, and Marco Reus for Shinji Kagawa in 2012, but it’s keeping the existing players that’s important. After Bayern triggered Götze’s €37 million release clause, BVB chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said, “After winning two championships and going through to the Champions League finals, we have reached a status where we expect every player to unconditionally commit to the club.” Currently Marco Reus is the only player left with a release clause that activates in 2015, worth €35 million. Watzke continued to say that any new players signed by BVB will not have release clauses in their contracts.

All images courtesy of Jakub Błaszczykowski FB account.