Duranville seeks fresh start at Lyon after Dortmund setbacks

On a quiet evening at Signal Iduna Park, 20‑year‑old Belgian winger Julien Duranville posted a farewell message on Instagram, marking the end of his three‑year spell with Borussia Dortmund. He announced his departure and a €5.5 million move to Olympique Lyon, hoping to revive a career hampered by injuries and limited first‑team action.

Duranville was under contract with Borussia Dortmund until the summer of 2028, yet a breakthrough never materialised. He arrived from Anderlecht in January 2023 after being hailed as one of the biggest talents of Neerpede, having already featured in Anderlecht’s A‑core.

His time in Germany turned into a cycle of waiting, recovery and attempts to restart, as multiple injuries prevented him from securing a regular place. German media repeatedly highlighted his physical problems, noting how they slowed his development at Borussia Dortmund.

In the Bundesliga, Duranville made 27 appearances for Borussia Dortmund’s first team, scoring once and providing one assist. He also accumulated minutes with Dortmund II and was later loaned to FC Basel to regain rhythm.

On Instagram he wrote, "My time at BVB is over. It was an honour to wear these colours and represent the club. I am enormously grateful to everyone who supported me on this journey. Thank you for everything," a short but heartfelt farewell.

At Olympique Lyon, Duranville now has the opportunity to relaunch his career. The task is clear: stay fit, earn minutes and finally demonstrate why he was once regarded as one of Belgium’s greatest prospects.