Dortmund Complete Loan Deal for Hakimi

Borussia Dortmund has officially completed a two-year loan deal for Real Madrid defender Achraf Hakimi. Hakimi is a 19-year-old Moroccan who will look to compete for time at right and left back.

Hakimi played eight games in La Liga last year, winning a Man of the Match and scoring two goals. He also has two games worth of experience in the Champions League. For Morocco he started all three group stage matches in the World Cup before they were eliminated.

There is no information on whether an option to buy is included in the deal, so expectations should be tempered with Hakimi presumably returning to Real Madrid if he plays well. There is some reason for hope however as Hakimi and Dani Carvajal play the same primary position. With the 26-year-old Carvajal just entering his prime, Hakimi would likely remain on the bench or be forced out of position in a return to Madrid.

Putting the unknown details aside and assuming Hakimi will only be at Dortmund for two years, this is still a strong signing with almost zero risk. Hakimi should be a great young addition over the next two years and will at the very least provide relief for an aging Piszczek. If there is indeed no option to sign, Hakimi will help keep the defense sturdy in a two year period that is likely to see a lot of transition from old to new.