Borussia Dortmund’s Yan Couto aims to become a club legend

With further transfer business being completed on Borussia Dortmund’s end, the club was able to make the signing of Yan Couto official this past week. The Brazilian fullback has signed with Dortmund on a year-long loan from Manchester City with an obligation to buy for around 25 million euros.

Couto had a very strong season with Girona last year, scoring a goal and providing 8 assists to help propel the club to third in La Liga. It’s these performances that brought him to Dortmund’s attention.

Couto becomes one of a long list of Brazilian players to join Dortmund over the club’s history, with many who have joined having left a lasting impact on the club. In an interview with the club in the aftermath of his signing, Couto stated that he aims to follow in their footsteps and become a legend for the club:

“I know that Brazilians often make history when they come here [Dortmund]. So I also hope that I am one of them, that I make history here, that I become a legend of the club. That’s what I want.”

• Yan Couto

Couto acknowledged that he still had a long way to go in this vein, but that his goal is to “win many titles” with the club during his time here. If the player performs the wat he did in La Liga, there’s little reason as to why that wouldn’t be possible.

Couto also touched on the style of play fans can expect to see from him once he’s on the pitch for the club. The player described himself as a right back that likes to get forward and contribute offensively as well:

“Well, I’m a right-back but I also like to get involved in attacking play. I always try to help my teammates. [I consider myself] a good crosser. I am fast, can dribble well and I look for good combinations with my teammates and so on.”

• Yan Couto
  Couto also recognized the need for him to defend, which is of course an important part of the role he plays on the pitch. His defensive numbers certainly leave something to be desired, but the player recognizing the need or focus on this aspect of his game bodes well for finding a healthy balance for player and club.

Couto’s ability to cross and create will be a welcome addition to Dortmund for the coming season. With the departure of Ian Maatsen, Dortmund was once again without that sort of creative player in the fullback position, and Couto fills that role quite nicely. The player’s excitement to be at the club and hunger for titles will hopefully be infectious, and hopefully, the player’s wish to become a club legend will come to fruition in the coming seasons.