Marco Reus: 7 facts you probably didn't know about him

#4 Why Marco Reus left Borussia Dortmund in 2006

Marco Reus during his time with Borussia Monchengladbach

Reus had to leave Borussia Dortmund at the age of 16 so that he could get more playing time elsewhere, but it is believed he was told his slight physique would make it difficult for him to be an established player at a top club. Reus then decided to join Rot Weiss who were playing in the third division then.

He initially played for their reserve team before making a transition to the senior team. He was spotted by the Borussia Monchengladbach scouts in 2009, and then signed for them. He made 97 league appearances for Monchengladbach and established himself there, but returning to his boyhood club was always on his mind.

Three years later, former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp brought him back for €17.1 million and made him one of the biggest stars in world football.

“I left BVB because I wanted to play. It’s no use to be in Dortmund if you only sit on the bench,” Reus said.

“That’s why I decided with 16 to go that path. It turned out to be the right choice for me. Since then it’s getting better, step for step, from Ahlen to Mönchengladbach, and from there back to Dortmund. I was lucky that I stayed healthy.”