Borussia Dortmund have signed Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea on a permanent deal worth up to £24 million, ending the midfielder’s stop-start spell at Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan in Germany, has agreed a five-year contract that runs until 2030. The move follows weeks of negotiations, first reported by The Athletic.
“It feels really good to now be an integral part of BVB,” Chukwuemeka said after the deal was confirmed. “I’ve gotten to know this club, the coach, my teammates, and the fans over the past few months, and I’m just happy that Borussia Dortmund is now my new footballing home. I will give everything I can to ensure that we achieve our goals as a team.”
Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 with high expectations but struggled to secure a regular place, featuring only 32 times in two seasons. His time at Dortmund last spring gave him a chance to reset. In 17 appearances, he scored once and showed enough promise to convince the club to make the move permanent.
The England Under-21 international is the latest in a line of young British players to cross the Channel for game time at Dortmund. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham both thrived at Signal Iduna Park, and younger faces like Jamie Gittens and Jobe Bellingham are already following in their footsteps.
For Chelsea, the sale marks another departure in a summer where the club has continued to trim its squad and raise funds. For Dortmund, it is a calculated bet on youth—one they hope will pay off in the Bundesliga campaign ahead.
Dortmund, who drew their season opener against St Pauli, face Union Berlin at home on Sunday.
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