Dortmund to sign Belgian international Witsel

Berlin : German football club Borussia Dortmund is on the brink of signing midfielder Axel Witsel from Tianjin Quanjian, the eight-time Bundesliga champions announced in an official statement on Monday.

After a long back and forth, Axel Witsel's transfer is in its final stages as Tianjin Quanjian and the "BVB" agreed on the last details, reports Xinhua news agency.

"For many months we have been very interested in the signing of Axel Witsel and we are now very delighted that he has opted for Dortmund. Axel is a player with great international experience," Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc told the club's official home page.

The central midfielder played from 2012 until 2016 for Zenit Saint Petersburg before he joined Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian where he provided five goals in 35 appearances.

"After the World Cup it was my goal to transfer from China back to Europe. I am totally happy and proud to play for the BVB soon. After our first talks I did not have to think twice because for me Borussia Dortmund is one of the best clubs on the continent," Witsel said.

Witsel has been part of Belgium's national team since 2008 and represented the "Red Devils" at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he helped to clinch the bronze medal for his country.

He has 96 international caps and has scored nine goals. Dortmund will kick off their Bundesliga campaign against RB Leipzig on August 26.