Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels, who is set to join the Bavarian club when the summer transfer window opens.
Hummels — a Bayern Munich academy product — has spent eight years at Dortmund, the club who have come closest to challenging the Bavarians’ supremacy in German domestic football in recent years. However, just like former Dortmund stars Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski, Hummels has also made the switch from the Ruhr valley to Bavaria.
The outward bound Dortmund captain was apologetic in his official statement, saying that his decision to join Bayern Munich was not an easy one.
TRANSFER COMPLETE! #FCBayern have also signed @matshummels, with the centre back agreeing a contract until 2021 too! pic.twitter.com/YShoT9dlL9
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
“I have not made my decision after eight and a half successful years at BVB easily,” Hummels was quoted as saying on Dortmund’s official website. “I was always proud and still am, to wear the BVB jersey and to be part of this exceptional team.”
While Hummels’ transfer will be a huge blow for Dortmund, it will be interesting to see how the Dortmund fans react to this latest development, especially given the fact that they had recently unfurled a banner asking former player Gotze to “p*ss off”.
Bayern Munich have suffered major injuries in defence this season and that has undoubtedly cost Pep Guardiola’s side. With Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng out, the Spaniard was forced to play left-back David Alaba and midfielder Joshua Kimmich in the heart of the defence. The addition of Hummels will strengthen the backline and give the Bavarians a top quality defender who can lead from the back.
Bayern sign Portuguese starlet
The Bavarian club have also announced the signing of Benfica starlet Renato Sanches in a stunning double swoop on Tuesday.
Premier League giants Manchester United were interested in signing the 18-year-old, with some reports even claiming that they were ready to meet the €60 million release clause set on him by Benfica. However, Bayern Munich have swooped in to sign Sanches for a sum of €35 million, according to the Daily Mirror.
DONE DEAL! 18-year-old Renato #Sanches will join from Benfica this summer. Welcome to #FCBayern! pic.twitter.com/r9Xu7vOZOA
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
“FC Bayern has been watching Renato Sanches for a long period,” Bayern München chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quoted as saying on the club’s official website. “We’re pleased we’ve been able to sign him despite big-name international competition. Renato is dynamic, a good tackler and a technically skilled midfielder who’ll add even more strength to our team.”
