Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund have re-signed 24-year-old Germany international Mario GötzeThe transfer will see Götze, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final against Argentina on 13 July 2014, return home after three years at Bayern Munich. Subject to a medical, which has yet to be completed, the attacking midfielder will sign a contract with the club until 30 June 2020 and recommence training at the beginning of August.

"Personally, I'm absolutely delighted that Mario has chosen to come back to Borussia Dortmund. Ever since his departure in 2013, I've always hoped that he would return to the club one day," said Borussia Dortmund's Chief Executive Officer Hans-Joachim Watzke. BVB Sporting Director Michael Zorc emphasised that "Mario is Dortmund born and bred, one of the best creative midfielders in Europe and still only 24 years old". Zorc added: "He had several transfer options on the table and he consciously chose a path that would certainly not be an easy one, a return to his hometown club."

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Though still relatively young, the versatile offensive midfielder has already won five German titles and three DFB Cups. The highlight of his career to date, however, undoubtedly came in extra-time of the World Cup final on 13 July 2014 when he scored the winning goal against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium. In 56 matches for Germany, Götze has scored 17 times. At the time of his debut in November 2010, he was Germany's youngest international since Uwe Seeler.

At club level Götze's personal record is nothing less than outstanding, having scored 44 goals and set up 55 in his previous 156 Bundesliga matches – the majority of which (83) came in the Black and Yellow of Borussia Dortmund. The talented dribbler has also made 43 UEFA Champions League appearances, scoring 11 and setting up 15.

"When I completed the switch from BVB to FC Bayern in 2013, it was a conscious decision and one that I do not wish to hide from today," said Mario Götze. "Three years later, and now at 24 years of age, I am able to see the decision I made back then differently. I can understand the fact that many fans were unable to understand my decision. Nowadays I wouldn't make the same choice again! If I am now to return to my hometown club, then I want to try to win everyone over – especially those who do not welcome me back with open arms – with my performances. My objective is to get back to playing my best football. For all of us, the club and the BVB fans."

"At this point I would expressly like to thank the Chairman of the Bayern Munich Board of Directors, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge," said Hans-Joachim Watzke, adding: "We have negotiated three transfers with Bayern this summer. All of our negotiations have been characterised by great seriousness and mutual trust."