Borussia Dortmund have completed their next major transfer for the future. Konstantinos Karetsas joins from KRC Genk and, according to media reports, will cost around €30 million as part of an overall package, plus further bonuses and a sell-on clause. He is expected to become part of BVB’s first-team squad immediately. For Genk, it is a historic deal; for Dortmund, a clear signal: after Julian Brandt’s departure, the club did not merely want to react in the number-ten position, but bring in a player capable of shaping the team long-term. Karetsas will wear the number 19 shirt for the Black-and-Yellows.
Ricken: “Kos really wants BVB”
Dortmund’s determination to complete the transfer had already been visible in recent weeks. Sky reported that BVB had internally identified Karetsas as their preferred target to succeed Brandt and improved their offer several times. Other clubs also had the 18-year-old on their radar, but Karetsas chose Dortmund.
Lars Ricken, BVB’s managing director for sport, said in the official statement: “With Kos, we are gaining a player for Borussia Dortmund who, at just 18 years old, already has enormous ability.” During talks, the club had noticed “from the very first moment that Kos really wants BVB”. At the same time, Ricken stressed that despite the quality Karetsas already possesses, the club still sees plenty of development potential in him.
Sporting director Ole Book mainly highlighted his footballing profile. Karetsas will enrich the team “with his creativity and game intelligence”. Particularly exciting, he said, is his ability “to find quick solutions in tight spaces, especially in the final third.”
Born in Genk, international for Greece
Karetsas was born in Genk as the son of Greek parents. He joined KRC Genk’s youth academy at the age of eight, later had a spell at RSC Anderlecht, and then returned to Genk. There, he was considered an exceptional talent from an early age.
In August 2023, Karetsas made his debut in Belgium’s second division at the age of 15. Later that same season, he made his first appearance for Genk’s senior team in the Jupiler Pro League. Under German coach Thorsten Fink, who was born in Dortmund, the attacking midfielder became a key player in 2024/25.
Fink recently described Karetsas as a “technically excellent player” with good dribbling and the ability to play the final pass. Particularly noteworthy: although Karetsas would also have been eligible to play for Belgium, he chose Greece. He made his debut in March 2025 and has already won ten caps, scoring three goals and providing one assist. In the 3-0 win over Scotland, he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Greek national team at 17 years, four months and four days.
Strong numbers for an 18-year-old
Despite his age, Karetsas already has a remarkable amount of professional experience. He made 92 competitive appearances for Genk, scoring six goals and providing 23 assists. Last season, he played 34 matches in the Belgian league and registered eleven assists. In the Europa League, he reached the round of 16 with Genk and recorded two goals and five assists in eleven appearances.
Those numbers explain why Dortmund were willing to spend heavily on an 18-year-old. Karetsas is no longer just a prospect, but a player who is already regularly making an impact at professional level. He feels most comfortable in attacking midfield, but can also play on the right wing. His biggest strengths are his dribbling, his ability between the lines and his eye for the final pass.
Dortmund beat the competition
His move to Dortmund does not come as a major surprise. Karetsas had long been linked with European top clubs. Bayern Munich were reportedly interested last year, while international rumour lists also included clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid. More recently, Milan were also said to be monitoring the situation.
In the end, however, Karetsas chose BVB. Speaking about his move, the player said: “Borussia Dortmund is a special club and I am incredibly proud to now be able to wear the black-and-yellow shirt.” He added that he is looking forward to soon playing “in this impressive stadium” in front of the fans.
For Dortmund, the transfer is a bet on both the present and the future. Karetsas is expected to bring creativity immediately, but above all to become a central figure in the attack over the coming years. For Genk, the deal is financially historic and even more expensive than the previous record sale of Tolu Arokodare to Wolverhampton last season. For BVB, it is the next major investment in an exceptional talent.
