The Best Players to Feature for Both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich
As the two biggest clubs in Germany, the rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich is unparalleled and has given fans some incredible moments over the years.
A rivalry shaped by the players within it, there have been more than a few over time to play for both clubs.
Here are some of the best players who have featured for both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich over the years.
Robert Kovač
Feared for his tough tackling, Croatian defender Kovač spent four years at the Allianz Arena in the early 2000s, winning a couple of Bundesliga titles during his time with Bayern.
Kovač went on to play for Dortmund several years later, but struggled to make an impact for the Black and Yellows, only spending a year and a half there.
The defender returned to Bayern in 2018 in an assistant coach role during brother Niko's managerial stint there.
Torsten Frings
Although known for the 13 seasons he spent at Werder Bremen, German midfielder Frings managed to sneak in a few seasons at Germany's two top clubs in between his two spells at Bremen.
Known for some of the incredible goals he scored during his career, Frings spent two years at Dortmund before leaving for Bayern. Despite making 29 first team appearances in his solo year with the club, he didn't enjoy his time with Bayern and swiftly left to rejoin Werder Bremen.
Thomas Helmer
With six years apiece at both Dortmund and Bayern, defender Helmer spent the majority of his career playing for the two sides.
After six years and 190 appearances at Dortmund, Helmer left for Bayern where he would spend another six years, making 191 appearances - only one more than his time at Dortmund - eventually becoming club captain.
Jurgen Kohler
One of the best defenders in the 1990s, World Cup winner Kohler spent two seasons at the start of the decade with Bayern, winning one Bundesliga title, before joining Juventus.
After four seasons with the Old Lady, Kohler returned to the Bundesliga with Dortmund and would remain a BVB player for the rest of his career, spending seven years with the side, winning a Champions League and two Bundesliga titles.
Mario Gotze
Attacking midfielder Gotze burst onto the scene in 2010 and instantly became one of the hottest young talents in football. After several impressive seasons with Dortmund, Gotze left for Bayern in 2013 and even scored against Dortmund in his first match back at Westfalenstadion.
Despite a promising start to life at Bayern, Gotze fell out of favour in his third season with the side and returned to Dortmund where he has spent the last four years. He is set to leave this summer.
Michael Rummenigge
The brother of Bayern legend Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, Michael made over 150 appearances for both Bayern and Dortmund during his time with each club.
Rummenigge was a part of the Bayern side that won three straight Bundesliga titles in the 1980s and managed to notch 80 goals throughout his time at both Bayern and Dortmund.
Mats Hummels
Having come through Bayern's youth academy, Hummels joined Dortmund in 2009 and spent seven years in black and yellow - even becoming club captain - before rejoining Bayern in 2016.
After three seasons back at the Allianz Arena, Hummels once again left Bayern for Dortmund in 2019 and has immediately slotted back into Dortmund's defence as they aim to knock Bayern off their Bundesliga perch.
Stefan Reuter
After four seasons and just under 100 appearances for the Bavarian side, defender Reuter spent one solitary year at Serie A giants Juventus before joining Dortmund in 1992.
Nicknamed 'Turbo' for his speed on the pitch, Reuter - who made over 300 appearances for the club during the last 12 years of his career - won numerous Bundesliga titles during his time at both clubs and was a key figure in Dortmund's 1996/97 Champions League win.
Robert Lewandowski
The most successful none-German striker in Bundesliga history, Lewandowski has been a goal scoring machine for the majority of his career.
The all time leader in goals scored in games between the two sides, Lewandowski spent four fruitful years with Dortmund, netting more than a goal every other game before leaving for Bayern in 2014.
Since arriving at the Allianz Arena in 2014, Lewandowski has gone from strength to strength, scoring a breathtaking 155 goals in just 184 appearances for the Bavarian side and winning the Bundesliga title in each of his seasons with the Bundesliga giants.