Young Argentine defender Balerdi joins Dortmund

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund have signed Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi on “a very long-term contract”, the Bundesliga leaders announced on Monday.

Dortmund did not specify how the length of the contract. German media said Borussia was paid Boca Juniors 16 million euros ($18.45m) for the 19-year-old.

Dortmund tweeted photos of the under-21 international training with their squad.

was but Sporting said it had been brought forward from the summer.

The transfer, Dortmund’s sporting director  Michael Zorc told the club’s web site, “was originally planned for the coming summer but is now being brought forward.”

“Leonardo is an intelligent centre-back, strong in defense,” Zorc said. “He also has a good build-up and passing game. We are very glad that he has chosen us and are convinced that he will help us with his talent in the future.”