Alexandra Popp to Borussia Dortmund: German Star Boosts Women’s Football Ambitions

Alexandra Popp, one of Germany’s most decorated footballers, will join Borussia Dortmund this summer, leaving VfL Wolfsburg after 14 years. The move, announced on March 14, 2026, is a three-year contract that will observe the 34-year-old forward play for a club that only began its women’s team in 2021 and currently competes in the third tier of German women’s football. Popp’s career includes three Champions League titles, an Olympic gold medal from Rio 2016, seven Bundesliga championships and a record 13 DFB-Pokal (German Cup) wins. She also earned 145 caps for the German national team, scoring 67 goals, before retiring from international play in 2024. “My heart beats for this club,” Popp stated in a message released by Dortmund, adding she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play for the Black and Yellows. The decision to join Dortmund, a club still building its women’s program, is being viewed as significant for the development of women’s football in Germany. Unlike some clubs that have rapidly invested to climb the leagues, Dortmund has opted for a gradual approach, focusing on sustainable growth from the lower divisions. The team aims to reach the Bundesliga within the next two years. Borussia Dortmund’s Managing Director, Svenja Schlenker, described Popp’s signing as “a major statement of our ambitions.” Carsten Cramer, the club’s management spokesperson, added that Popp is “one of the most influential figures in women’s football, both nationally and internationally.” Experts believe Popp’s presence will extend beyond on-field performance. “Alexandra Popp has become one of the defining figures of modern German women’s football. She represents much more than sporting performance: she brings credibility, leadership and visibility,” explained Dominik Schreyer, a professor of Sports Economics at the Otto Beisheim School of Management, in comments to DW. “For a project like Dortmund’s, a figure like Popp also sends a clear signal of ambition to the market.” The average attendance in the German Women’s Bundesliga is estimated at around 2,894 spectators per match, according to a 2024 report by the sports marketing company Two Circles. While growth has slowed compared to previous years, attendance figures have become more consistent, with most clubs averaging between 1,000 and 5,000 fans. Dortmund’s women’s team drew 10,000 fans to a match against Schalke in 2025, and with 230,000 club members there is potential for significant support from the existing fanbase. Dortmund has also secured Ralf Kellermann, who played a key role in building Wolfsburg’s successful women’s team, as a further sign of their ambition. Kellermann joined Wolfsburg in 2008, eventually becoming sporting director and contributing to 20 titles, including the historic treble in 2013. Schreyer cautioned that sustained investment and a strong organizational structure are crucial for long-term success. “Building an elite program in women’s football is not just about money. It requires scouting networks, sporting structures and organizational know-how. Clubs often underestimate how long that takes.” Popp has signed a contract with Dortmund that runs until June 30, 2029.