DORTMUND, Germany — Borussia Dortmund says midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz is heading to Galatasaray immediately even though he will not be able to play competitive football for his new club until the next transfer window in January.
The planned transfer fell through when the necessary paperwork was not delivered in time for Monday’s deadline. FIFA declined to approve a request for an exemption.
Dortmund said the two clubs agreed that Grosskreutz would leave for Istanbul immediately, under the previously agreed conditions of the transfer, which were not disclosed.
Grosskreutz, who was a member of Germany’s World Cup winning squad last year, will be able to train and play friendlies and will sign when the next transfer period opens on Jan. 1, 2016.
