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Anthony Modeste takes his keen eye for goal from Cologne to Borussia Dortmund.
Anthony Modeste takes his keen eye for goal from Cologne to Borussia Dortmund. - © DFL
Anthony Modeste takes his keen eye for goal from Cologne to Borussia Dortmund. - © DFL
bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund sign Anthony Modeste from Cologne

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Borussia Dortmund have further strengthened their attack for the 2022/23 campaign by signing French striker Anthony Modeste from Bundesliga rivals Cologne.

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Modeste moves to the Signal Iduna Park on a one-year deal, and becomes the latest big-name arrival at Dortmund this summer.

Edin Terzic has already brought the likes of Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Salih Özcan to the club in order to strengthen the team's spine, while Karim Adeyemi, Jayden Braaf and Sebastien Haller were recruited in attack.

Haller's testicular tumour diagnosis in pre-season and subsequent need to undergo chemotherapy means he will be absent for several months, which increased the need for Dortmund to secure the services of another striker.

"After analysing our performances from last season, we consciously decided to sign a classic centre-forward, who offers our attack a certain physicality, aerial presence and goal threat," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl of the recruitment process that led to Modeste's signature.

"Against the backdrop of Sebastien Haller's illness, we're happy to have fulfilled that profile by adding Anthony Modeste to our squad. He's a seasoned professional, who knows the Bundesliga really well, scored 20 goals last season and is a perfect fit for the football Edin Terzic wants to play at BVB."

Watch: All 20 of Anthony Modeste's Bundesliga goals last season

Modeste first arrived in Germany with Hoffenheim in 2013 and scored 23 times in 62 appearances for TSG before moving to Cologne in 2015. His first stint with the Billy Goats was highly productive as the former France U21 international struck 15 goals in his first season and 25 in his second.

Modeste subsequently moved to China with Tianjin Tianhai in 2017, but returned to the RheinEnergieStadion a year later. The 34-year-old then spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan in France with Saint-Etienne, before his 20 goals for Cologne last term lifted the club into seventh-place and this season's UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs. He departs the Cathedral City with 79 goals in 156 games.

"I'm very grateful to Cologne for a wonderful and successful time," said Modeste.

"That said, BVB have offered me a unique opportunity at my age, to play in the Champions League and prove myself at the highest level. I'm delighted to have the opportunity, and promise to give my all for the success of the team and club."

Modeste could make his debut as early as Bundesliga Matchday 2, when Dortmund head to Freiburg.