Manchester United have confirmed that attacker Jadon Sancho has rejoined Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
The England international returns to the Signal Iduna Park two-and-a-half years on from his permanent switch to the Red Devils, who forked out £73m for his services in the summer of 2021.
"Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho has rejoined former club Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season," the Red Devils said in a statement. "The England international of 23 caps leaves with our best wishes for the remainder of this season."
Sancho earned a reputation as one of Europe's finest up-and-coming attackers during his time in Germany, recording 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 games during his first spell with Dortmund, winning one DFB-Pokal crown and one German Super Cup.
Man United beat a plethora of other esteemed European clubs to Sancho's signature, but the 23-year-old has failed to replicate his previous exploits at Old Trafford, only amassing 12 goals and six assists from 82 games in all tournaments.
BVB has signed Jadon Sancho on loan until the end of the season ✍️
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 11, 2024
Currently with Manchester United, the loan contract runs until June 30th, 2024 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/j5At2fKx50
Since the start of September, Sancho has been in exile from the first team owing to a fall-out with Erik ten Hag, who left him out of the squad for their loss to Arsenal due to alleged poor performances in training.
Sancho refuted his manager's claims with a strongly-worded social media statement, claiming that he had been made a "scapegoat" during his time at Old Trafford, and he has apparently refused to apologise to Ten Hag.
With the Dutchman refusing to back down either, all parties began to work on Sancho's exit from Old Trafford as a matter of priority, and a return to Dortmund was unsurprisingly mooted straight away.
Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia were also touted as potential destinations for Sancho, but Dortmund finally shook hands on a short-term loan deal with the Red Devils, and the attacker will wear the number 10 shirt during his second spell with BVB.
The winger addressed fans with a short video message on Dortmund's social media channels, saying: "Hello BVB fans, it's Jadon here. I just want to say Happy New Year, I'm so glad to be back and I can't wait to get started. See you soon and take care."
© Reuters
Dortmund are not believed to have an option or obligation to buy included as part of their agreement with Man United, meaning that Sancho is due to return to Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign.
The former Manchester City winger remains contracted to Ten Hag's side until 2026 and is not thought to have completely closed the door on a revival at the Theatre of Dreams, where he has won one major trophy in the shape of the EFL Cup.
Sancho is the second Man United outcast to head for the Bundesliga in the January transfer window, as Donny van de Beek will spend the rest of the season with Eintracht Frankfurt, and the Red Devils are also expected to send Hannibal Mejbri out on loan now that Sancho's move has gone through.
Edin Terzic's side have made an indifferent start to the Bundesliga campaign, sitting fifth in the top-flight table, and Sancho could make his second debut for the club against SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday.
