Champions League Runner-up Dortmund Signs Germany Defender Waldemar Anton from Stuttgart

Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund made Germany defender Waldemar Anton its first signing of the offseason -The AP
Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund made Germany defender Waldemar Anton its first signing of the offseason -The AP
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Champions League Runner-up Dortmund Signs Germany Defender Waldemar Anton from Stuttgart

Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund made Germany defender Waldemar Anton its first signing of the offseason -The AP
Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund made Germany defender Waldemar Anton its first signing of the offseason -The AP

Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund made Germany defender Waldemar Anton its first signing of the offseason on Monday, leaving Stuttgart needing a new captain for its return to top-level European competition next season.

Anton played all but one Bundesliga game for Stuttgart last season as the team defied expectations to finish second in the league, behind only champion Bayer Leverkusen.

That helped earn him a call-up to Germany's squad for Euro 2024, where he played two games off the bench in the host nation's run to the quarterfinals, The AP reported.

“I wasn't originally planning to change clubs, but then came Borussia Dortmund,” Anton said in a Dortmund statement. “A top club that had just been in the Champions League final. That shows the potential in this club.”

Anton, who was born in Uzbekistan, is likely to team up in defense with Nico Schlotterbeck after the experienced Mats Hummels left last month when his contract expired.

Anton joins Dortmund on a four-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee after four years at Stuttgart.

In January, he signed a contract extension through 2027 with Stuttgart, where he captained the team last season after midfielder Wataru Endo left for Liverpool.

Stuttgart, which last played in the Champions League in the 2009-10 season, is without both of its first-choice central defenders from last season after Hiroki Ito joined Bayern Munich last month. Forwards Serhou Guirassy and Chris Führich have also been reportedly linked with transfers.



Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
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Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA

Executive Director of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Fouad bin Fahd Ibrahim crowned Saudi rider Abdullah Al-Zaidi as the champion of the 120 km Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup, held in AlUla.

The event was organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the federation.

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h, SPA reported.
The competition featured intense rivalry among riders across its four stages.

In addition to the main event, the program included several associated races, such as an international 140 km race, an international 100 km race, and two local qualifying races of 40 km and 80 km.