Dortmund sign Philipp from Bundesliga rivals Freiburg

Borussia Dortmund have signed Germany under-21 international Maximilian Philipp from Bundesliga rivals Freiburg, the club said Wednesday.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a five-year contract to 2022 with the Champions League participants. Dortmund did not give details of the transfer fee but Kicker sports magazine spoke of 20 million euros (22.5 million dollars).

"We are happy that we have secured the transfer of Maximilian Philipp, who is highly sought after both here in Germany and abroad," sporting director Michael Zorc said. "He is versatile and can play as an attacking midfielder, he has a good shot and he has a fantastic future ahead of him."

On Tuesday Dortmund appointed Dutch coach Peter Bosz to replace the departed Thomas Tuchel. Philipp is Dortmund's fourth signing of the summer after defenders Oemer Toprak and Dan-Axel Zagadou, and midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud.

Philipp is currently preparing for the U21 European Championships in Poland and will join up with his new team-mates after the tournament ends on June 30.

"BVB is one of the biggest clubs in the world," Philipp said. "It is an honour for me to be able to play here. I think that at the age of 23 years old I am mature and old enough take this step. I want to develop as a player in Dortmund."

Philipp made his Bundesliga debut with Freiburg in 2014 and after suffering relegation in 2015, helped the side gain immediate promotion back to the top-flight. He scored nine goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Strengthening the attack is a priority for Dortmund with the perenially injured Marco Reus out with cruciate ligament damage and the Sport Bild magazine claiming Wednesday that top scorer Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang is on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.