Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund have loaned 28-year-old defender Neven Subotic, who remains under contract with the club until 2018, to 1. FC Köln until the end of the season. 

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Chief Executive Officer at BVB, declared: "By modern professional standards, the level of identification Neven has with BVB is extraordinary. Even once he has left the club, he will forever remain a friend to us all. Dortmund is and shall remain Neven's home. He is welcome here at any time!"

Subotic has made 192 Bundesliga appearances for the Black and Yellows, scoring 15 goals, as well as playing for club 40 times in European cup competitions, since joining from Mainz 05 in 2008. The central defender was a key component of the title-winning teams of 2011 and 2012, with other achievements including lifting the DFB Cup in 2012 and reaching the Champions League final in 2013.

Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc said: "Due to his great service to BVB, we have agreed to grant the player's explicit wish to be loaned to 1.FC Köln until the end of the season so that he can get more playing time at a high level."

New video: Neven Subotic thanks the entire BVB family