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Sweden’s ‘next Zlatan’ signs for Borussia Dortmund

Swedish teenage prodigy Alexander Isak – dubbed the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic – has signed for Borussia Dortmund for a reported ten million euros ($10.7m) after they beat off a host of other top European clubs.

Sweden's 'next Zlatan' signs for Borussia Dortmund
Alexander Isak. Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

Isak, who earlier this month became Sweden's youngest international goalscorer at 17 years and 113 days, had been linked to Real Madrid but joined the Bundesliga club from Sweden's AIK after an apparent change of heart.

The gifted striker scored ten goals in 24 games in his debut season at AIK in 2016.

“Alexander Isak is a hugely talented striker who many top clubs in Europe wanted to sign,” Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told the club website. Borussia are currently fourth in the Bundesliga.

“We are delighted that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund. Both BVB and the player himself are convinced that this transfer has great potential.”


Alexander Isak with his new jersey. Photo: Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA/BVB

AIK said that representatives from 90 European clubs turned up at the ground in October last year to watch the youngster play in a match against Gothenburg.

Born in a Stockholm suburb to Eritrean parents, the teenager is still a minor and so the transfer is subject to approval by Fifa, football's governing body, which the club said they expected to receive soon.

Isak became Sweden's youngest international goalscorer on January 12th in a friendly against Slovakia in the United Arab Emirates.

The previous record was held by Erik Dahlström, aged 18 years and one day when he scored against Finland in 1912.

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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