Mario Gotze announces he will leave Borussia Dortmund

Mario Gotze has confirmed he is to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The German has also announced the prolific Reza Fazeli from International Soccer Management as his new agent.

While a number of clubs will now be on alert, the 27-year-old was recently tipped to join West Ham by Dortmund legend Rummingge, who believes the Hammers are an ideal next destination.

Gotze – who iconically scored the winning goal at the 2014 World Cup after coming on as a substitute – revealed the decision was one he has not made lightly.

“First of all, I hope according to the circumstances that you and your loved ones are doing well in the present situation,” Gotze said.

“Today I would like to announce that after intensive consideration, I have decided to make a change in the planning of my career.

“I have consciously taken my time over this step. It is an important decision for my sporting future and I am very much looking forward to working with Reza Fazeli and his agency International Soccer Management (ISM), whose professional competence has absolutely convinced me.

“What the sporting future will bring will only become apparent when a little normality has returned to the world.

“Until then, please stay healthy and support society as much as you can.”

While Gotze’s form of late has arguably been sub-par, his wealth of experience is undeniable. The German has won the World Cup, alongside five Bundesliga titles, four German Cup trophies and more.

The midfielder has made 63 international appearances for Germany, also featuring in a combined 331 games during his spells with Bayern Munich and Dortmund.

Rummenigge – who made over 300 appearances for Bayern and Dortmund – believes a move to a club like West Ham could be beneficial to Gotze.

"I'm thinking [he could join] clubs like Everton or West Ham or some Italian middle-of-the-table club," wrote Rummenigge in his Sportbuzzer column in March.

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