Borussia Dortmund, our continental cousins from Germany, boast a rich history dating back to their inception in 1909. A visit to their stomping grounds at the highly-regarded Signal Iduna Park is undoubtedly etched on the bucket list of most ardent football fans.
The strength of any football team resides in the sum of its parts, and Borussia Dortmund doesn't stray from this mantra. The combined fiscal might of their 20-player squad hovers around a respectable £401m, a figure ascertained by Transfermarkt.
A crucial factor of longevity in football is the average age of a team. Borussia Dortmund have managed to secure a healthy balance with their squad's average age standing at 27 years, a period of life where the footballing prowess is, in most cases, in full fruition.
Also noteworthy is their performance in the current football season. Dortmund's tenacity is evident as they strive across three diverse competitions. Their ambition and talent have secured them second place in the Bundesliga - a commendable feat in itself. In the DFB-Pokal, they advanced until the third round, and their drive extended to the Champion's League where they fought their way up to the Knockout play-offs. No mean feat by any measure.
