Berlin: Borussia Dortmund signed France's young player of the year Ousmane Dembele from Rennes on Thursday, the German club fighting off strong English Premier League interest in the teenage forward. Dortmund called the 18-year-old "one of Europe's most sought after talents" in a statement announcing the transfer on a five-year contract.

The Bundesliga side did not give a figure for the deal, but German media said the fee was in the region of 15 million euros (£11.8m, $17.1m). British media had earlier reported that Liverpool were ready to offer £28 million for the France under-21 international, who was voted Ligue 1's young player of the year last weekend.