Top five goal-scorers in the history of Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund, one of the biggest clubs in the history of German and global football, has seen some of the lethal strikers donning their jerseys. The hallowed turf of the Westfalenstadion has seen Germany's post-war rebuilding era, and BVB has become the modern Bundesliga powerhouse. At the same time, the clubs have had loyal strikers breaking records day in and day out. Die Schwarzgelben’s folklore has seen the player's contribution transcending the statistics. These players have been part of the passionate spirit and distinct chapter in the club’s evolution. Here are the top five goal scorers for Borussia Dortmund who have become local heroes whilst also being the adopted sons of the club. 

Top five goal-scorers in the history of Borussia Dortmund

1) Adi Preißler - 177 goals in 274 games

Born and raised in Duisburg, Adi Preißler became the household names of the club in the post-World War era. He emerged as a post-war talisman for Borussia Dortmund after he made a move from the city rivals. Arriving from Preußen Dortmund in 1946, the center forward etched his name in the history of Borussia Dortmund football club as the prolific striker in their history 

Adi Preißler was nothing but a war horse on the pitch who could raw dog any opposition. The center forward’s predatory instincts helped the club claim multiple championships in 1956 and 1957 where the club was a force to reckon with. He formed a lethal partnership with Alfred Kielbasa and averaged 0.65 goals per 90. His finest hour came in the Yellow and Black shirt in the 1956 championship-deciding match against Karlsruher SC, where his brace secured Dortmund's first national title. 

2) Marco Reus - 170 goals in 429 games 

The prodigal son of Borussia Dortmund who also has a history of joining from rivals but made the club his home. Like the top goal scorer of the club, Marco Reus also arrived from the Rot Weiss Ahlen and Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he had gained the necessary skills that were prominent for the player to get going at Borussia Dortmund. 

The technically gifted midfielder, who played as a creative player, went on to display his loyalty for 12 seasons despite injury and the rivals troubled him. He gave multiple memories for the fans during his service for the club. May it be the spectacular free-kick against Stuttgart in 2012 or the Champions League goal in 2013, he had it all. He had the campaign of his life in 2018-19, where the player went on to leave a remarkable impact on the club, scoring 21 goals and winning the Player of the Season. 

3) Michael Zorc - 159 goals in 572 games 

Born and raised in Dortmund, Michael Zorc’s relationship with the club extends beyond him being the player of the club. Spanning over four decades of service as both player and sporting director, Michael Zorc is known for unwavering loyalty. 

The third-highest goalscorer in the history of the club, Zorc primarily featured for the club as a midfielder. During his period, he not only scored some of the spectaculars but also kept calm in penalties and set-pieces. In his 17-year playing career with the club, he helped the side not only resurrect them but also win two back-to-back titles in the late 90s as well as a Champions League. His finest season as a prolific goal scorer came in 1987/88 where he had 14 goals, helping the side to win DFB-Pokal trophy. 

4) Manfred Burgsmüller- 158 goals in 252 games 

Arriving from Rot-Weiss Essen in 1976, Burgsmuller became the second nature of the club’s attacking department. The Gelsenkirchen-born player went on to embody the attacking flair during the late 70s and early 80s where he struck incredible partnership with the attacking midfielders and acclaimed the deadliest striker title during his prime years. 

In the 1980/81 campaign, Burgsmuller went on to score 27 goals with his natural finishing ability, sending shivers down the spine of the opponent. Famously called “Manni”, Burgsmuller had an uncanny knack for appearing in the right place at the right time. Though he played in the days when BVB were still healing, Manfred Burgsmuller kept the club competitive with multiple top-four finishes and etched his name in Dortmund's folklore. 

5) Timo Konietzka- 155 goals in 196 games

Born in Lünen near Dortmund, "Timo" Konietzka created history by scoring the first-ever Bundesliga goal after just 58 seconds for Dortmund against Werder Bremen in 1963. The powerful striker's phenomenal goal ratio of 0.79 per game remains unmatched among BVB's elite forwards.

Konietzka's explosive partnership with Sigfried Held powered Dortmund to the 1965-66 European Cup Winners' Cup, the club's first continental triumph. His deadly combination of physical presence, aerial prowess, and precise finishing made him virtually unstoppable during Dortmund's early Bundesliga years. After controversially joining rivals Bayern Munich in 1965, he returned for a second spell between 1967 and 1970, cementing his legendary status with more memorable goals before pioneering professional football in Switzerland as both player and coach.