Michael Olise To Antonio Nusa: Five New Faces To Watch In Bundesliga 2024-25

The 2024-25 Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday when champions Bayer Leverkusen visit local rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach. Leverkusen's unbeaten league and cup double stung perennial champions Bayern Munich, who have again been Germany's big spenders as they look to return to the summit. Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, along with RB Leipzig and Stuttgart, have also strengthened. Here, AFP Sport looks at five new faces to watch in the Bundesliga this season:

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

The Bundesliga's most expensive new addition at a reported 53 million euros ($59 million), new Bayern forward Olise offers speed on the flanks and a consistent goal threat.

The 22-year-old impressed with 10 Premier League goals and six assists in 19 appearances for Crystal Palace last season.

The London-born Olise won a silver medal with France at the Paris Olympics and is expected to soon receive a maiden call-up from first-team coach Didier Deschamps.

Olise arrived in Munich this summer alongside Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha and defender Hiroki Ito.

Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund)

The arrival of 33-year-old Gross may seem unusual for a club known for signing promising young talents, but the Germany midfielder may be exactly what Borussia Dortmund need this season.

Dortmund have boasted some of the best young talents in the game in recent years, but have lacked creativity and maturity in the middle of the park.

A midfielder with an eye for goal, Gross joins Dortmund after seven years with Brighton, where he was twice named the Premier League club's player of the season.

A childhood Dortmund fan, Gross made his Germany debut at the age of 32 and was part of coach Julian Nagelsmann's squad at Euro 2024.

Gross