Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund have announced that central defender Ömer Toprak (27) will join the club in the summer from Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Dortmund are prepared to meet the release clause in the player’s contract and he will join the squad for the 2017/18 season.

Toprak will sign a contract running until 30 June 2021 at the 1997 Champions League-winners.

In his career to date, Toprak has made 181 Bundesliga appearances for SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen, scoring five goals. He also has 23 appearances in the UEFA Champions League (2 goals) as well as 25 international caps for Turkey to his name.

“Ömer Toprak is a strong defender with international experience and great leadership qualities,” said Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

Toprak will remain fully focused on his task at Leverkusen in the coming months. Out of respect for their Bundesliga rival, BVB will make no further comment on Ömer Toprak until the end of the current season.