🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 84 (from laksa179)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa084.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7098568/2026/03/08/julian-brandt-dortmund-transfer-exit/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7098568/2026/03/08/julian-brandt-dortmund-transfer-exit/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7098568\/2026\/03\/08\/julian-brandt-dortmund-transfer-exit\/","crawl_time":1772972487,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nytimes!www,\/athletic\/7098568\/2026\/03\/08\/julian-brandt-dortmund-transfer-exit\/ s443","src_root_hash":"4566504020376537684","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Julian Brandt to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer after seven years at the club - The Athletic","meta_descriptions":["Dortmund CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that the player and club have been unable to agree on an extension."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Borussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer.\nBrandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension.\nHis departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions.\n“There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides.\n“We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.”\nBrandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024.\nHe has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024.\nDortmund face summer of reinvention\nThis was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome.\nDortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that.\nAn extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify.\nMar 8, 2026\nConnections: Sports Edition\nSpot the pattern. Connect the terms\nFind the hidden link between sports terms","attrs_markdown":"[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Are Wrexham Ready for the PL?](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7098079\/2026\/03\/08\/wrexham-chelsea-pushed-premier-league\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Guardiola's Two-Match Ban](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7089917\/2026\/03\/08\/pep-guardiola-man-city-two-game-ban\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Premier League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/premier-league\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)FA Cup](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/fa-cup\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)2026 Men's World Cup](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/world-cup\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)F1](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/formula-1\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Champions 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![Bundesliga](https:\/\/cdn-league-logos.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=48%2Cquality=70%2Cformat=auto\/https:\/\/cdn-league-logos.theathletic.com\/league-22-color@2x.png)Bundesliga](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/)\n\n[Teams](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/teams\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Bayer Leverkusen](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/leverkusen\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Bayern Munich](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/bayern-munich\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Borussia Dortmund](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/dortmund\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Eintracht Frankfurt](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/eintracht-frankfurt\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)RB Leipzig](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/leipzig\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Wolfsburg](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/team\/wolfsburg\/)\n\n[Scores & Schedule](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/schedule\/)\n\n[Standings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/standings\/)\n\n[Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/podcasts\/bundesliga\/)\n\n# Julian Brandt to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer after seven years at the club\n![Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund looks on](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2026\/03\/08055844\/GettyImages-2262276331-scaled-e1772963968316-1024x682.jpg?width=1920&quality=70&auto=webp)\n\nBrandt is set to leave Dortmund when his contract expires this summer Pau Barrena\/Getty Images\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2740%27\/%3e)![Sebastian Stafford-Bloor](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Sebastian Stafford-Bloor](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/06\/18092155\/image-3.png?width=96&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/sebastian-stafford-bloor\/)\n\nBy\n\n[Sebastian Stafford-Bloor](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/sebastian-stafford-bloor\/)\n\nMarch 8, 2026 6:08 am EDT\n\nShare full article\n\n4\n\nBorussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer.\n\nBrandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nHis departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions.\n\n“There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides.\n\n“We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.”\n\nBrandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024.\n\nHe has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024.\n***\n## **Dortmund face summer of reinvention**\nThis was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome.\n\nDortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that.\n\nAn extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify.\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\nMar 8, 2026\n\n## Connections: Sports Edition\nSpot the pattern. Connect the terms\n\nFind the hidden link between sports terms\n\nPlay today's puzzle\n\nNational\n\n[Boxing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/boxing\/)\n\n[Bundesliga](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/)\n\n[Champions League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/champions-league\/)\n\n[Championship](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/efl-championship\/)\n\n[College Football](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/college-football\/)\n\n[College Sports](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/college-sports\/)\n\n[Copa America](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/copa-america\/)\n\n[Copa del Rey](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/copa-del-rey\/)\n\n[Cricket](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cricket\/)\n\n[Culture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/culture\/)\n\n[Cycling](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cycling\/)\n\n[Europa 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![Twitter](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/twitter-gray.png?width=48&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthleticFC)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2718%27%20height=%2718%27\/%3e)![Facebook](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Facebook](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/fb-gray.png?width=48&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/facebook.com\/TheAthleticFC)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2718%27%20height=%2718%27\/%3e)![Instagram](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Instagram](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/ig-gray.png?width=48&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/instagram.com\/theathleticfc\/)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27100%27%20height=%2730%27\/%3e)![Download on the App Store](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Download on the App Store](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/appstore-ios.png?width=256&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/the-athletic-sports-news\/id1135216317)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27100%27%20height=%2730%27\/%3e)![Get it on Google Play](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Get it on Google Play](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/appstore-android.png?width=256&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.theathletic)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Borussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer.\n\nBrandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension.\n\nHis departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions.\n\n“There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides.\n\n“We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.”\n\nBrandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024.\n\nHe has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024.\n***\n## **Dortmund face summer of reinvention**\nThis was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome.\n\nDortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that.\n\nAn extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify.\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\nMar 8, 2026\n\n## Connections: Sports Edition\nSpot the pattern. 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URL	https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7098568/2026/03/08/julian-brandt-dortmund-transfer-exit/
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Meta Title	Julian Brandt to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer after seven years at the club - The Athletic
Meta Description	Dortmund CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that the player and club have been unable to agree on an extension.
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Boilerpipe Text	Borussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer. Brandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension. His departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions. “There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides. “We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.” Brandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024. He has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024. Dortmund face summer of reinvention This was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome. Dortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that. An extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify. Mar 8, 2026 Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms
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Stafford-Bloor](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) ![Sebastian Stafford-Bloor](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2024/06/18092155/image-3.png?width=96&quality=70&format=auto)](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sebastian-stafford-bloor/) By [Sebastian Stafford-Bloor](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sebastian-stafford-bloor/) March 8, 2026 6:08 am EDT Share full article 4 Borussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer. Brandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension. Advertisement His departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions. “There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides. “We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.” Brandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024. He has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024. * ## Dortmund face summer of reinvention** This was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome. Dortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that. An extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify. ![](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==) ![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image/png;base64,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) ![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAASAAAAEgCAMAAAAjXV6yAAAA0lBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD////v7+/f39/Pz8+/v7+gw1qWt1WWt1SgoKCfn5+Mq0+Mqk+QkJCCn0qCn0mCnkqCnkl4kkSAgIBwcHBkejlkejhabjNabjJgYGBQYi1QYS1QUFBGVidGVShGVSc8SiI8SSJAQEAyPR0yPRwwMDAoMRceJRIeJREeJBEgICAUGQwUGQsUGAsQEBAKDQYKDAYKDAVRd1CXAAAAFXRSTlP/ABAgMEBQYG9wgI+Qn6CvsL/P3+959xIgAAAEn0lEQVR42u3c4VYaVxSG4e8wDlRlsHBGTUYb0qaJialoWtE6tRBR7v+WupbaOHuGwYRl4oLzvlcAz9r7/NsjN6eotZn0fKrVzXe3NpqRm5NcTY048QoknzS/FSjeTBVUaRJ/A1DcVYD1WjOB4HnIN78CKOoq4JLoMaCfUgWdb80FaiQKvs1GPVDUw0fyUR1Q5NGxQhZoLcXmLr9WAGJ+ZpRGD0D41G2ZBWrgY+o1SkCbqun6cvhDymU6OVokmcbDx/o7v1ZNiQVqaWb5x9fZD+pQppfbiyTTMPuK3n7INbP1e6D6B+j6eC8zrQ6QrX88nvlQF4ASVTM8KwhkiVSt+wDUVKV/3mTZigNZorEqxV+AvMr9uZcFAGT6a/YIaeYLfZxlwQFlxyoX3wP1qj4hAlWFundAcWW/sjCBqlsW3wIlso2zUIH2L2Vr3wKlsvWDBcreypY2nFyz8gCFC5QNKjum8oaN+yED7d/IlDg5Xx6gcIGqI+SdItn6YQPtyxapKVOehQ2U5TK1tCHTh9CBPsrU1pZMv4cO1JcpUVfFbrLQgbIbFevJq1gO0KWKednOATpVsVS2IUAWSAABBBBAAAEEEEAAAQQQQAABBBBAAAEEEEAAAQQQQAABBBBAAAEEEEAAAQRQMEBX+XN1JdPF2SI9xZ+ZchNPREREREREy9X156VOpslokSaa1zBb6mQ62l6kI4AAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAPquQOfvljqZTl4u0hm370REREREREQrVX64SLmKTV4t0pFMg8PnKpft6b+TP9pepFcyvcueq1OAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAD6rkDTz4s0lRVapEn5hzxXU27fiYiIiIiIaLmanC3SSKZ8qRvL9vTfyb/KlrpTgAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAggggAACCCCAAAIIIIAAAigYoBQg27lsXsUuAMpLPD0VmwB0o2JddWTaDR3oN5l+VlumX0MHOpRpQy2ZzkIHymVqKpJtJ2ygvmyRnJfpIGyggUzeyXVkmuyEDNS/kilxcrFsByEDDWRrOrlGKtuLcIH6sqXOybm2bBc7wQJdyZbcAsUq9T5UoE8qFd8Cua5KHYQJNFCpnrsDilURChCo6qPWPVB1hPQ+OKC9Tyrn3f9AsSqNdsMCevOvKjW/ALmuqh3shgO0N1C1xD0ARamqjQzRigFZnqmq+agA5NY1s7NfXqw60Os/cs2s5YpArlN/B31y9FgjFbsZLk+XU9XUdhao0eMmvphvlIBc5FExD1AZyEUpLsanDOTWmKH70jVngNiyyvwUgRAq1YtcHZBrtPHpNJwFsrW8gi5ddza5UlFHAdeNXAWoUtMHyxM7VwNka/XgMUDV4k6qoErbhscA1dTseAWST+KGq0luTlFzY6u7ykyp7yXtVjTP4D/6awC5wZMmhQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==) Mar 8, 2026 ## Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. 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Readable Markdown	Borussia Dortmund have announced that Germany international midfielder Julian Brandt will leave the club in the summer. Brandt, 29, is into the final months of a contract due to run until June 2026 and speaking following Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, CEO for sport Lars Ricken confirmed that player and club have been unable to agree on an extension. His departure will bring an end to his seven years at Dortmund, in which time he has made 298 appearances across all competitions. “There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Ricken said in a post-match interview with Sky Germany. “He’s played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him. He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he’ll be 30 in a few weeks – we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides. “We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us.” Brandt joined Dortmund in 2019, moving from Bayer Leverkusen. He was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and also the side that progressed to the final of the Champions League in 2024. He has also won 48 caps for Germany, but has not made an appearance for his country since 2024. * ## Dortmund face summer of reinvention** This was coming. Brandt has great talent, but he has suffered through a mid-career slump over these past few years. This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome. Dortmund are looking to reinvent themselves over the summer, perhaps with the aim of becoming younger and restocking their team with more potential, and Brandt, as one of the highest-earners, was an obstacle to that. An extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical. Dortmund are well-stocked in Brandt’s position, he is no longer an automatic starter, and an extension into his mid-30s — at least on similar wages — would have been hard to justify. ![](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==) ![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image/png;base64,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) ![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image/png;base64,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) Mar 8, 2026 ## Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. 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Publish Time	2026-03-08 10:08:06 (1 month ago)
Original Publish Time	2026-03-08 10:08:06 (1 month ago)
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