Borussia Dortmund has confirmed the immediate departure of striker Youssoufa Moukoko to Danish champions FC Copenhagen. The move brings an end to a period marked by both significant promise and recent stagnation for the young German international.
Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged Moukoko’s earlier successes, noting, “Youssoufa had established himself in the national team through good performances with the BVB professionals. Unfortunately, his development has stalled recently”. Kehl expressed the club’s hope that the transfer will revitalize Moukoko’s career.
Moukoko himself described the move as bittersweet. “It’s not easy to say goodbye to a club like BVB, because this club, my teammates, the coaches, the supporters and the fantastic fans will always be important to me” he stated. He added that, following a challenging year on loan at OGC Nice, he is eager to embark on a fresh start with renewed optimism and ambition.
Moukoko joined Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy from FC St. Pauli at the age of eleven, quickly establishing himself as a prolific goalscorer. He led the club’s U17 team to the German Championship in 2018 and reached the final again in 2019, amassing an impressive tally of 141 goals in 88 U17 and U19 matches.
He burst onto the senior Bundesliga scene in November 2020, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the league at just 16 years and one day old. He soon after broke records as the youngest ever player and goalscorer in the Champions League and Bundesliga.
After 99 appearances for the Dortmund first team, scoring 18 goals and winning the DFB-Pokal in 2021, Moukoko moved to Nice on loan in August 2023. He made 22 appearances for the French club, scoring twice, but ultimately sought a return to consistent first-team football, finding it with the Danish champions.
