Yan Couto has admitted to serious difficulties adapting to life at Borussia Dortmund, raising doubts over his future at the club despite a clear desire to succeed, as this will now be his first season in Europe without being under contract with Manchester City.
In quotes relayed by German newspaper Bild, the former Manchester City full-back explained how much he has struggled with the cultural shift since leaving Spain and his loan at Girona. “I played in Spain for four years,” he said. “I got used to the language and the people. I didn’t expect the move to Germany to be so different.”
He described challenges both “personally and in dealing with the club and people who are more reserved”, adding that “it’s not easy, but it makes a big difference”. The Brazilian also underlined how living away from his mother, who still resides in Spain, has affected him.
“I’m coming to Germany and living alone,” he said. “It’s not easy, which is why many Brazilians don’t come to Germany anymore. It’s a challenge for me, but I have to deal with it.”
Despite the emotional tone of the interview and the questions it raises about his integration, Couto made clear he wants to prove himself. “The fans haven’t seen my best version, and I want to show that in the coming season,” he concluded.
The right-back is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2029, having joined the Bundesliga side permanently in October 2024 after a loan move from Manchester City included a €24m obligation to buy (around £20.2m).
Couto had been at City since 2020, when he arrived from Coritiba in a deal worth about £5m plus add-ons. He was seen as one of Brazil’s most promising full-backs at the time.
He never made a competitive appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side, only being named on the bench for the 2021 Community Shield against Leicester.
His development came through successive loan spells – first at Braga (2021–22), then at Girona from 2022 to 2024, where he enjoyed a breakout campaign. He helped the Catalan club qualify for the Champions League, recording two goals and ten assists in 39 La Liga appearances in 2023–24.
Dortmund then moved quickly to secure his signature and now, less than a year after that move became permanent, Couto finds himself facing the biggest challenge of his career, both on and off the pitch.
