Guirassy, Couto and Dortmund's top 5 summer transfers

Dortmund haven't been crowned champions of Germany since winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles under Jürgen Klopp in 2011 and 2012, but they have been runners-up seven times in the seasons since, and made two UEFA Champions League finals.

Die Schwarzgelben were uncharacteristically fifth last season, 27 points off Bayer Leverkusen's title-setting pace, and BVB have decided to bolster this summer. Let's take a look at the new boys:

Serhou Guirassy
Signed from: Stuttgart
Age: 28
Country: Guinea (18 caps/3 goals)/France (U20 caps)
Position: Striker
Key stat: 28 goals in 28 games last season 

Watch: Guirassy signs for Dortmund

Serhou Guirassy was the player who came closest to Harry Kane's Torjägerkanone-winning 36 goals last season, hitting eight fewer than the Bayern Munich captain as Stuttgart sealed Champions League qualification for the first time in 15 years - but in four fewer games.

Indeed, Guirassy averaged a goal every 79 minutes he played in 2023/24, and his recent goalscoring exploits have since seen BVB sell Germany No.9 Niclas Füllkrug to Premier League side West Ham United in order to make way.

Yan Couto
Signed from: Manchester City (on loan)
Age: 22
Country: Brazil (4 caps/0 goals)/Portugal
Position: Right-back
Key stat: 10 assists as Girona made history

Dortmund have signed some fine full-backs on loan in recent seasons, from Achraf Hakimi to Ian Maatsen last term, and they have now picked up another promising player in the same way, persuading Manchester City's Yan Couto that his next career step should be taken at the Signal Iduna Park.

Already a full Brazil international, Couto helped Girona secure a historic Champions League qualification last season, contributing 10 assists as the unfancied Catalans finished third in La Liga, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona ahead of them.

Pascal Groß
Signed from: Brighton
Age: 33
Country: Germany (8 caps/1 goal)
Position: Midfielder
Key stat: Five shot-creating actions per 90 minutes 

Watch: 'Childhood fan' Groß joins BVB

Something of a late bloomer, Pascal Groß had just four seasons of Bundesliga football - two each with Hoffenheim and Ingolstadt - before joining Brighton in 2017. In the seven years since he became a Premier League stalwart and recently played his way into Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad.

A versatile midfielder who can dictate play from deep, man the flank, and also deputise at full-back, Groß's acquisition gives Nuri Şahin a wealth of options from just a single signing. Groß is a jack of all trade and, perhaps, now a master of some.

Waldemar Anton
Signed from: Stuttgart
Age: 28
Country: Germany (4 caps)
Position: Centre-back
Key stat: Ever-present for Stuttgart

With Mats Hummels calling time on his storied Dortmund career, there is a gap at the back that needs filling at the Signal Iduna Park, and Waldemar Anton looks well placed to fill it. 

A physically imposing 6'2" centre-back, Anton also has the guile to step into midfield, if needed. Now a full Germany international, Anton played the most minutes of any Stuttgart player last season as the Swabians finished as runners-up to Leverkusen.

Maximilian Beier

Signed from: Hoffenheim
Age: 21
Country: Germany (2 caps)
Position: Striker
Key stat: 19 goal involvements in 33 games last term 

Watch: Maxi Beier on joining Dortmund 

Maximilian Beier was another under-the-radar standout in 2023/24. The Hoffenheim forward scored 16 times, whilst producing three assists. His reward was not only a maiden call-up to the Germany squad and ticket to UEFA Euro 2024, but a high-profile move to Dortmund.

Capable of playing through the middle, out wide or as a second striker, the former Hannover youngster provides the perfect foil to new teammate, Guirassy. What's more, turning 22 in October, he has his best years ahead of him, as evinced by his five-year contract with the five-time Bundesliga winners.