Buckley explains Dortmund move

By Osasu Obayiuwana
BBC Sport

Buckley played for Arminia Bielefeld last season

South Africa striker Delron Buckley says the passion of Borussia Dortmund's fans played a major role in his decision to sign for the German club.

Over 80,000 people watch the club's league games every week, giving them the largest fan base in Germany.

"It's not because of the money [that I moved to Dortmund]," Buckley told Sunday's edition of Borussia Aktuell, the club's match newspaper.

"I'm really happy to play in front of over 80,000 fans at the stadium."

Buckley, whose 15 goals with Arminia Bielefeld attracted attention from Dortmund and other German clubs, said the city of Dortmund also played a role in his recovery from injury.

"When I was injured, I was in Dortmund for my rehabilitation.

"Besides, I wanted to go back to the Ruhrgebiet (the region in which Dortmund is located) and settle there."

The 27-year-old said Knut Reinhardt, who attained cult status at Dortmund as a player, also played a key role in convincing him to join the club.

But the Bafana Bafana striker will have to watch his temper at Dortmund, as scuffles with referees and players have resulted in the imposition of stiff sanctions in the recent past.

His most recent punishment was a six-match ban for pushing referee Markus Merk during Bielefeld's German Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich on 20 April.

Buckley's ban will end on 3 June.