Borussia Dortmund striker Julien Duranville has been loaned to FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.
The 19-year-old Belgian international, who came to Dortmund from Anderlecht three years ago, will stay at St Jakob-Park until the end of the season.
The deal, which does not include a purchase option, concludes an eventful first chapter in Germany for Duranville. The teenager made 15 Bundesliga appearances and earned two caps for his country at Dortmund, but his progress has been hampered by injuries and disciplinary concerns.
Since late October, when he was recovering from a dislocated shoulder suffered against Real Madrid in the Club World Cup quarter-finals, Duranville has made just two appearances on the Dortmund bench. The transfer nevertheless represents something of a coup for Basel, as the club’s sporting director Daniel Stucki acknowledged.
‘It’s not a given’: Basel is delighted with Julien Duranville’s loan signing
“We are very happy that we were able to convince Julien to come to Basel on loan, because it is not a given that a player like him would move from a top club like Dortmund to Switzerland,” said Stucki, who was optimistic that Duranville could play fourth-placed FC Zurich in Basel on Sunday.
“He is a very skilled, explosive winger who has received excellent training at Anderlecht. Due to a shoulder injury, he recently had limited playing time at Borussia Dortmund and that is exactly what he can now get with us. For a young player, playing time at the highest level is crucial to take the next step at a top club. We are convinced that Julien will help us from the start.”
That’s more encouragement than Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has been able to offer. Last month the Croatian explained Durnaville’s recurring omission from the matchday squad by suggesting he was simply not at the required level.
Niko Kovac: ‘It is difficult for Duranville to be involved in BVB’
“It’s difficult for him to be involved,” said Kovac, whose second-place finish in Dortmund has made great progress this season. “We are at BVB and there are really good players here. He is one of them, but the others are just better.”
It doesn’t help Duranville’s case that he reportedly showed up late to training and left Kovac unimpressed with his attitude once there, although the Croatian did admit earlier this month that the forward needed game time. If that suggested there could still be a way back for him at the Westfalenstadion, then so too were Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl’s comments in a club statement.
“Julien has been with us in Dortmund for three years, but he is still a very young player in whom we still see a lot of potential,” said Kehl. “However, due to injuries, among other things, he has not been able to demonstrate his talent and capabilities to the extent we would have liked.
“The move to FC Basel now gives him the opportunity to gain regular playing time and further develop. We are convinced that this is the right step for his future prospects here at BVB. We wish him every success during his time in Basel.”
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