Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart despite concerns surrounding his fitness.
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- Dortmund announce signing of Guirassy
- Failed preliminary medical due to injury
- Tests cleared situation before completing signing
- (C)Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
Dortmund have been interested in Guirassy since the start of the summer and seemed certain to sign him before the Bundesliga side announced that, during medical tests, they had found an underlying injury which stalled the deal between Die Schwarzgelben and Stuttgart.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The deal for the Bundesliga's second top-scorer from last season had been put in doubt following the discovery. However, following further tests it was revealed that the 28-year-old's injury does not require surgery and therefore would only need the striker to be put on a rehabilitation program, Dortmund's managing director Lars Ricken said.
- Getty Images
WHAT RICKEN SAID
Speaking during the striker's signing announcement, Ricken said: "It was important to us, in the interests of BVB and the player, to get as accurate a specialist assessment of Serhou's injury as possible. Thoroughness clearly took precedence over speed. Now all the facts are on the table and we are convinced that we made the right decision with this transfer.
"It would be wrong to reduce Serhou to his finishing qualities. As a striker, he is of course measured by his goals. In addition, the role he takes on in running up against opponents clearly shows that he defines himself as a real team player."
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- Borussia Dortmund
WHAT GUIRASSY SAID
Speaking to the club media, Guirassy said: "When Borussia Dortmund asks, it's something special. Every child in the world who is interested in football knows this club, knows the black and yellow jerseys, knows the Yellow Wall. I'm very excited about all of this, about my new team-mates. And it's important for me to say: I came here to win titles. That's my goal, that's what drives me. The club showed what's possible at BVB last year by reaching the Champions League final."