BORUSSIA DORTMUND has announced the signing of £20million Nigeria-born Switzerland International,  Manuel Obafemi Akanji from Basel.

The defender, who attracted interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga giants.

Borussia Dortmund strengthened with the signing of Swiss talent Manuel Obafemi Akanji, with confidence that the center-back will grace SIGNAL IDUNA PARK with his defensive prowess.

Following the deal, the 22-year-old Akanji said: “I felt very good in the talks with the Dortmund managers, so it was a decision of the heart and I’ve always liked the football played in Dortmund.

✍️ Borussia Dortmund hat sich mit dem @FCBasel1893 auf einen sofortigen Wechsel des Spielers Manuel #Akanji verständigt. Der 22 Jahre junge Abwehrspieler unterzeichnete einen Vertrag bis zum 30. Juni 2022 und erhält die Rückkennummer 16. Herzlich willkommen, Manuel! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/79VFrXKz9I

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 15, 2018

“I’m looking forward to the time here and will do my best.”

The 22-year-old helped Basel win the Swiss League in 2016 before they secured the domestic double last year.

After 42 appearances for Raphaël Wicky’s side, he bagged a total of five goals.

Akanji’s father – a financial expert from Nigeria – was an amateur footballer in his younger years and still plays the sport in his spare time.

Dortmund’s newest addition also owes his middle name – Obafemi – to former Wolfsburg, Inter Milan and Newcastle star, Obafemi Martins.

Akanji’s Swiss mother is a former tennis player while his eldest sister, Michelle, is an athlete.