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Jadon Sancho breaks silence after sealing Manchester United loan exit
Jadon Sancho has expressed the sentiment of returning to Borussia Dortmund’s dressing room as a homecoming experience. The 23-year-old, who faced a challenging four months sidelined at Manchester United due to being excluded from the first team by Erik ten Hag, completed a loan move back to Dortmund on Thursday.
Sancho’s departure from Dortmund to join Manchester United in the summer of 2021 for a transfer fee of up to £73m did not unfold as expected. Originally intended to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s primary choice for the right-wing position, he found himself in competition with Marcus Rashford for a spot on the left—a role where he had excelled at Dortmund.
Having twice earned a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, Sancho’s significant contribution of 114 goals and assists across all competitions highlighted his crucial role for Borussia Dortmund. He had also become a key player for Gareth Southgate’s England.
Now, with the chance to revitalize his career in familiar surroundings, Sancho shared with Dortmund’s club media channels the profound meaning of returning to the club.
“When I walked into the changing room today, it felt like ‘coming home’,” Sancho said.
“I know the club inside out, I’ve always been very close to the fans here and I’ve never lost contact with the people in charge. I can’t wait to see my team-mates again, get out on the pitch, play football with a smile on my face, get assists, score goals and help the club qualify for the Champions League.”
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl added that Sancho “is an absolute different maker” and backed him to find form quickly despite his four-month absence from first team duty.
“Jadon is an absolute difference-maker, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in Black & Yellow again soon,” he said. “He knows this city, Signal Iduna Park, our fans and our club. Even though he hasn’t played any competitive games in recent months, we’re sure that he’ll quickly settle back in with us, find his best form and help us to achieve our season objectives with his qualities.”
Sancho might participate in Dortmund’s Bundesliga meeting with Darmstadt on January 13, where he will be entrusted with assisting Edin Terzic’s side climb back into contention for a top-three finish. BVB is presently fifth in the league, 15 points behind surprise leaders Bayer Leverkusen, after having won only one of their last five games before the Christmas break. This season, BVB has not been at their best.
For United, with British millionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe leading football operations, they want to start a new chapter in their history. However, the present focus is clearing Ten Hag’s team of players who are no longer needed, so new acquisitions could have to wait.