​Germany’s all-time top scorer Alexandra Popp embarked on a markedly different challenge on Friday as she began pre-season training with Borussia Dortmund, the third-tier club that has captured her imagination since she was a girl. The 35-year-old, who has briefly stepped away from international duties after lifting Olympic gold, completed her first session with her new teammates in front of a crowd of hundreds of fans, signaling a fresh chapter in her storied career.
Popp’s move followed her departure from Wolfsburg at the end of last season, a period during which she helped secure seven German titles and two Champions League trophies. Rather than pursuing the same league level as her previous successes, she chose to drop two divisions in order to become the emblem and driving force of Dortmund’s newly launched women’s project, a venture that only began in 2021. Born in nearby Witten, Popp has always felt a deep connection to the area, and her decision to join Dortmund seems almost a full-circle moment rooted in childhood admiration.
“It is a small dream that has come true. The fact I am suddenly wearing this shirt now still feels a bit surreal,” Popp told reporters. “It is not just something new, it is a childhood dream again. I do not think many people can say they can wear a shirt they already wore as a small child.”
During Dortmund’s first training session of the season, Popp cut a striking figure as she joined the group, her arrival underscored by the mist from a sprinkler that rose around her as she stood with the new teammates. The scene conveyed both the novelty of her signing and the sense of anticipation surrounding Dortmund’s evolving women’s project, which has been steadily gaining momentum since its inception.
Popp’s move to Dortmund signals a broader shift in her career, one that prioritizes a leadership role, a continued impact on German football, and a personal narrative that blends nostalgia with ambition. Having previously dominated the domestic landscape with Wolfsburg and proven herself on Europe’s biggest stages, she now faces the challenge of helping to build and elevate a fledgling women’s program at a club that has long been a powerhouse in the men’s game.
Her decision to join Dortmund is also a reflection of her enduring passion for the sport and her desire to influence the next generation of players. By stepping into a key role at Dortmund, Popp aims to be a focal point for the team’s development, attract attention to the fledgling women’s side, and inspire young players who see in her a living example of dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence even after achieving the pinnacle of international success.
As pre-season training continued, Popp’s presence was not only a win for Dortmund’s coaching staff but also a message to fans and aspiring footballers: that a storied champion can choose to plant roots in a new project and help shape its future from the ground up. Her experience, leadership, and prolific goal-scoring nous will be crucial as Dortmund builds a squad capable of challenging the established order in German women’s football and making a meaningful impact beyond the domestic league.
In sum, Alexandra Popp’s transition to Borussia Dortmund is more than a transfer; it’s a declaration of intent. It highlights a long-standing love for the sport, a commitment to growth at the grassroots level, and a willingness to take on a fresh, transformative mission at a club eager to redefine its landscape in women’s football. The season ahead promises to be one of reinvention and progress for both Popp and Dortmund, with the football world watching to see how this new chapter unfolds.