Jadon Sancho signs new improved Borussia Dortmund contract until June 2022

The 18-year-old has been rewarded for a blistering start to the new Bundesliga season

Jadon Sancho has signed a new contract that commits him to Borussia Dortmund until June 2022, the Bundesliga club have announced.

The 18-year-old winger has been rewarded for an impressive start to the season that has seen him register more assists (five) than anyone else in the Bundesliga, despite making all of his six appearances from the substitutes’ bench and playing a grand total of 124 minutes.

In a statement announcing the extension on Dortmund’s official website, Sancho – who is widely expected to be handed his first England U21 call-up later this month – said his blistering form and fast progress have vindicated his decision to move to Germany from Manchester City.

"I am very glad that I decided to change to Dortmund just over a year ago, because everything turned out to be true: this city lives football like no other, and at BVB young players are given opportunities," Sancho said.

“Here I can develop really well. I am completely happy and satisfied and proud to be part of this team. Here is something great!”

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, who this week described Sancho as “brutally good” and compared him to Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele, added: "Jadon Sancho is certainly one of the most exciting players in Europe.

“With this contract extension, we take account of his very, very positive development.”

Sancho has been regarded as one of English football’s most exciting young talents for many years, and City saw off stiff competition from several of their Premier League rivals to poach him from Watford’s academy as a 14-year-old in March 2015.

But after growing disillusioned about his chances of breaking into the first team under Pep Guardiola, Sancho turned down an offer of a new contract from City in the summer of 2017 and was omitted from the club’s preseason tour squad, before sealing an £8 million move to Dortmund on the final day of the transfer window.

Sancho made 12 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund last season, contributing one goal and four assists – numbers he has already surpassed in the opening weeks of this campaign.

Germany is becoming an increasingly attractive development option for talented English youngsters; Everton winger Ademola Lookman shone on loan at RB Leipzig in the second half of last season, while Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson has made an encouraging start to life on loan at Hoffenheim.