Carney Chukwuemeka suffers knee injury in Borussia Dortmund return

Carney Chukwuemeka’s first test appearance since the World Cup ended sooner than Borussia Dortmund had hoped, as he was withdrawn after picking up a knee issue in the first half against Tokyo FC.

The problem appeared without any contact, and Dortmund’s medical staff treated him on the pitch before he tried to continue.

The midfielder briefly returned for about ten minutes, but he quickly realized he could not carry on and was replaced by Takato Yamamoto. It was a frustrating moment for a player who had been looking to build rhythm again in preseason.

Chukwuemeka’s career in Dortmund has already shown both promise and persistence. He first joined from Chelsea on loan in February 2025, and the move came with an option to buy. During that spell, he made 17 appearances in all competitions, scored once, and helped the team in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

After that successful loan, Dortmund activated the option and signed him permanently on August 26, 2025, giving him a five-year deal until June 2030 in a transfer worth about £24 million. The latest setback is not ideal, but Dortmund will hope the issue proves minor.