Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has brought the curtain down on his hugely successful career at Bayern Munich as it was announced he is joining English Premier League giants Manchester United subject to passing a medical.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Saturday that Bayern and United have agreed an undisclosed transfer fee for the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, who has made 536 appearances for Bayern since his senior debut in 2002.
German daily Bild reported the transfer fee would be between 18 and 20 million euros ($A26.7 and $A29.6 million).
Schweinsteiger informed the German champions on Friday he wanted a change of scenery and is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Red Devils.
“Bastian and I had a serious conversation on Friday. He told me he has been thinking about his career and wants to try something new,” said Rummenigge.
“He asked me to find a way and things between Manchester United and Bayern Munich have been clarified, we have agreed on a fair transfer fee.
“We have taken into account that Bastian is a very deserving player.
“We tried to convince him to stay with Bayern Munich, but I completely understand that after 17 years with us, he wants to experience something new.
United confirmed the arrival of what is the first ever German player to join the club in a statement on their official website.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Bayern Munich to sign midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, subject to a medical and personal terms,” the statement announced.
Rummenigge said Schweinsteiger had turned down the chance to take part in Saturday’s Bayern team presentation at the Allianz Arena to bid farewell.
The news was received with some boos and whistles from fans in the stadium.
Rummenigge insisted there is no truth to reports Schweinsteiger is leaving Bayern because of problems with coach Pep Guardiola: “I would like to refer to that in the realm of fairytales,” he said drily.
The Bayern chairman also said no other Bayern player will join United this summer, ending speculation Germany star Thomas Mueller may follow.
Germany coach Joachim Loew gave his blessing to Schweinsteiger’s transfer.
“I know he is a player who still has a lot of goals and ambitions and he’ll face the new challenge in England with dedication and high motivation,” he said.
Schweinsteiger comes to Old Trafford with a vast wealth of experience having helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup and has lifted the German league title eight times with Bayern and the German Cup on seven occasions.
Schweinsteiger has won 111 caps for Germany, playing in three World Cup finals, and he succeeded Philipp Lahm as captain of the world champions after their Brazil 2014 triumph.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Liverpool defeated Tottenham 4-2 and the Spurs manager played down any problems between Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero who were seen having some words…
The Melbourne Victory keeper made four penalty saves on the night as his side fought back from 1-nil down to reach the semifinals on…
Central Coast Mariners became the first Australian club to win the AFC Cup as Mark Jackson's side triumphed 1-0 over Lebanon's Al-Ahed to claim…
Mohamed Salah put last week's sideline spat withJurgen Klopp behind him by scoring first in Liverpool's 4-2 win against Tottenham in the Premier League.…
Paul Izzo has inspired Melbourne Victory to one of the greatest-ever A-League Men escapes as they rose from the ashes to beat Melbourne City…
After being a goal down and having a player sent off, Victory fought back to level in regulation time and win a shootout, thanks…
