Dortmund close to signing Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus

Peter Stöger won’t be managing Dortmund next season. That means BVB will have to appoint someone new this summer. Hopefully that new manager comes in relatively soon after the season ends, as it’s already time to start replenishing the roster ahead of next year.

According to Bild, Dortmund have begun that process by attempting to sign Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer. Here’s a sketchy translation of their article via Google Translate:

According to BILD information, Dortmund are in agreement for the new season with Stephan Lichtsteiner (34). The 94-times national player comes free transfer and should sign in the coming days, probably for the time being, a one-year contract with the black and yellow.

The contract of the right-back in Turin expires after the season. Lichtsteiner recently announced his resignation after seven successful years: “These are my last 14 days at Juventus. My future will be very far away, that’s for sure.”

The World Cup driver revealed that he already agreed with a club, but the contract still needs to be signed. BILD knows: “far away” means Dortmund!

It would make sense that the player and BVB have already agreed to a contract. Free transfers are often agreed to in advance before the player’s contract has actually come to an end.

Yes, Lichtsteiner is 34-years-old and not getting any younger, but he would still add a bit of depth to Dortmund’s squad. The Swiss international can play really anywhere on the right side of the pitch. He’ll play right back, right wing-back, right midfield, right winger, or right forward. He’s a very versatile player.

Lichtsteiner’s role this season for Juventus was primarily as a substitute, but he still found ways to contribute in important moments. Juve’s Champions League tie with Tottenham Hotspur was turned on its head when Lichtsteiner came on as a sub in the second half of the second leg. It was his cross that assisted Gonzalo Higuain’s equalizing goal at Wembley.

He won’t be the starter over Jeremy Toljan or Lukasz Piszczek, but he’s another option there and in other positions on the right. Hopefully he is also the type of player who can mentor a younger player like Toljan to help the German right-back improve his game.

There really isn’t much risk in signing Lichtsteiner to a one-year contract on a free transfer. He won’t be relied upon to fill a major role, but he will be able to play his part in certain moments.