Borussia Dortmund have signed Giannis Konstantelias from PAOK for a €26m fee on 16 August 2026. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder and left winger arrives as a creative option for Niko Kovač in the Bundesliga and Europe. He is both-footed, wears No. 65, and has the profile to slot into Dortmund’s possession game and their high-tempo transitions. Here is what he brings, why BVB moved, and what it means for PAOK.

Deal at a glance: fee, timing and why Dortmund moved

Konstantelias joins Borussia Dortmund from PAOK in a transfer worth €26m, confirmed on 16 August 2026. For BVB, it is a clear investment in chance creation and dribbling threat between the lines. The fee also reflects upside, coming in above his proposed market value of €20m, which underlines Dortmund’s conviction. The Greece international is comfortable as an attacking midfielder or on the left, where his close control and quick shifts open passing lanes. Being both-footed makes him hard to predict in tight spaces and useful on either flank.

For PAOK, the move brings significant funds after developing a player who stepped up with end product and ball progression. Dortmund, who finished second in the Bundesliga last season with 73 points, are targeting incremental gains in the final third. Kovač inherits a side that scored 70 and conceded 34, and adding a press-resistant carrier fits that blueprint. The transfer also aligns with BVB’s track record of recruiting technical, high-ceiling talents. Expect Konstantelias to be eased in quickly given preseason timelines and squad depth needs.

What the numbers say: Konstantelias’ 25/26 output at PAOK

In the Stoiximan Super League this season, Konstantelias posted 8 goals and 2 assists in 24 appearances, starting 18 and playing 1,682 minutes. His league Sofascore Rating sits at 7.27 across those matches, boosted by 3 Team of the Week appearances. The underlying data backs the impact, with 6.251 expected goals and 4.17 expected assists, plus 28 key passes. He converted 20.5% of his 39 shots, hitting the target 21 times, and scored 7 from inside the box and 1 from range. He also spread his finishing profile with 6 right-footed goals, 1 left-foot strike and 1 header.

Ball progression and ball-carrying stand out. He completed 585 of 697 passes at 83.9%, including 287 accurate passes in the final third and 27 of 37 long balls. He logged 52 successful dribbles at a 52.5% success rate and won 112 ground duels, showing he does not shy away from contact. The workload is there too, with 1,105 touches, 355 sprints, and a top speed of 34.54 km/h, plus 140.51 kilometers covered. In the Greek Cup he added 3 goals, showing he can influence knockout games. For Greece in World Cup Qualifying he made 4 appearances and created 2 big chances in limited minutes, which hints at growing international responsibility.

How he fits Dortmund’s style and needs

Dortmund’s 25/26 team profile points to a strong platform for a technician like Konstantelias. BVB scored 70, assisted 51, averaged 53.2% possession and completed 84.3% of passes, but they also missed 55 big chances. They attempted 544 dribbles with 257 successful and generated 78 big chances, indicating room to add one more reliable ball-carrier and line-breaker. Konstantelias’ 287 accurate final-third passes and 28 key passes at PAOK map directly onto that need. His both-footed play supports combinations on either wing and quick one-twos centrally.

He should fit transitions as well, with Dortmund registering 43 fast breaks and 8 fast-break goals. His 34.54 km/h top speed and 355 sprints match the tempo Kovač wants when BVB counter. In settled play, he can help reduce turnovers in crowded areas through his dribbling and short-link passing. Set against opponents who sit deep, his 52 successful dribbles add another way to unlock low blocks. Add his long-ball accuracy and he can flip the angle of attack when full backs push on.

What it means for PAOK, and what comes next for BVB

PAOK bank a sizeable fee for a homegrown product who delivered in league and cup, which can be reinvested across the squad. Losing eight league goals, double-digit goal involvements and a high volume of final-third actions is not trivial, but the timeline of the deal gives them wiggle room. For Konstantelias, the Bundesliga step raises the bar on speed of decision-making and physical duels. His recent international minutes with Greece suggest he is on an upward curve at national-team level too. The move should accelerate that trajectory if he adapts quickly.

Dortmund’s recent friendlies show a mixed preseason rhythm that a fresh creator can help smooth. They beat FC Tokyo, lost to Cerezo Osaka and Fortuna Düsseldorf, drew with Roma, and had a result decided on penalties against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup. Across the season profile they finished second and carried an average team Sofascore Rating near 6.95, so the base is strong. Early bedding-in will likely come in rotation across attacking midfield and the left side. Fans can track his minutes, role and Sofascore Rating on Sofascore as the Bundesliga kicks off. If his PAOK numbers travel, BVB gain a flexible playmaker with the tools to move their attack up a notch.