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.
j binnie
Guest
James - As appears normal you have totally missed the point that I was trying to make.It was not the amount of money that Louis Van Gaal has, or will, spend it was simply an observation that in 1 year he has replaced half of the championship team of 2012/13 and if we are to believe what we read he ia not yet finished in the buying department. That was all relevant to the criticism that was levelled in these columns at the performance of Moyes as a manager, a performance often backed up by the fact that Ferguson had left him,Moyes, a championship winning team, a team that Moyes attempted to strengthen by signing Mata and Felliani,signings that were ridiculed by some,but both of whom apparently featured strongly in Van Gall's teams of last year. So do you get the gist of what I am saying?,Louis obviously recognised the need for changes in the squad and set about it in a very obvious manner and it will be interesting to see where and when he will stop. Your discussion on who spent what and the resultant achievements are of no relevance to this subject and are your opinions only. "Breaking the bank" was simply a term used to describe spending a lot more than was gained in the transfer market. Of course there were other factors to be considered, for instance how much did it cost to pay out Moyes' contract? and you can add to that what it cost to lure LVG to Old Trafford,all cost on cost, to gain a few places in league position. Can it all be re-couped in a few European Ties? we shall have to wait and see ,won't we???? Cheers jb
James
Guest
i think its adorable that you think what united have spent will any way 'burst the bank'. plus spending 121m last season i think improving by 3 league positions is pretty damn worth it. arsenal spent 46m moved up 1 position, everton 33m and moved down 6, liverpool spent 36m and dropped down 5 places, manchester city spent 32m and moved down 1.
woodo
Guest
I'm hoping no one's expecting him to be "the answer" for United, this all proves that Bayern really know how to sell a player when the timing is just right - Schweini had a very disruptive last two seasons, spent alot of both of them out with injury, and has started to lose pace as well as that killer instinct he used to have for that perfect pass. Good bit of business for them.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
jb My point is - with 6 matches to play, United were right in the mix to finish Top 2 & playing away to the eventual Champions, United dominated the match. So, van Gaal's 1st season wasn't far off the pace. I'm very optimistic United will be Champions in 2015/16. I really don't rate Chelsea or ManCity; Arsenal would be the biggest concern.
j binnie
Guest
Fuss - Not really getting the gist of your reply to me. United finished fourth in the EPL ,a 3 place improvement from the previous year,that despite the spendingof millions of pounds and the using of Moyes' 2 signings that many on this site claimed to be "ridiculous".signings. Now Van Gaal has shown he is not yet finished with the spending,hinting that he is still not satisfied with his top side. Now to your last observation,In Britain in the late 50's and early 60's we,who were "students" of the game, were introduced to the game that Chelsea used last year to win the EPL, so the term "defensive football" has nothing new to offer us having witnessed teams like Fiorentina,Inter and other Italian teams showing how it was to be done in the "European Cup" ties of the time.Thankfully it died a death not long after the 1967 EC final and had all but disappeared until master coach Jose began to use it at Chelsea 2 seasons ago. The reaction when watching a team dominate a game for 80 out of the 90 minutes and finish up losing is intersesting from a "students" view,but absolute torture for the average spectator. Cheers jb
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
jb With 6 matches to play last season, United were 3rd on the Table 1 point behind Arsenal & 11 points behind Chelsea. We went to Stamford Bridge - and, from my memory - United totally outplayed Chelsea had numerous real chances, but were beaten 1-0 by virtually the only chance Chelsea had. Yes, I know that's football. But I'm sure a football student, like you are, would understand the implications of that match when you are doing a post-season evaluation of United's 2014/15 season.
j binnie
Guest
Punter - Some months ago there was a discussion on this site as to how well United were faring under their new manager who had dared to sign 2 new players,Mata and Felliani.There were some among us who dared to suggest that maybe United needed to revamp their squad and we were ridiculed by some who declared they had won the title just the year before. Now one year down the line we find the new "super" coach has had the temerity to reduce that winning squad by releasing 13 out of the 25 used and he has "burst the bank" by buying 10 new players,not promising youngsters out of the club's academy, but all experienced ,recognised top performers. Maybe those critics from last year are wondering if the "new " products wil deliver the goods next season for it is highly likely that Louis will have decimated that 2013 squad almost into extinction. Strange is it not, not forgetting the dollars spent for a 3 place improvement in the season just closed.?????? Cheers jb
Bondy
Guest
Manchester Utd need to buy what they call " United player's" and Schweinsteiger's one of them ...
James
Guest
yeah he is coming from the german league so he can play in the english one. the only potential problem comes when they swap between the italian/ spanish leagues and the english.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
While I understand your concern, however, none of these players (Blind at this stage of career) are anyway near the quality of Schweinsteiger. Maybe they could sell some of these other players now & build strength in other areas.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Don't quite understand this buy. We already have Carrick, Herrera, Blind and Fellaini in central midfield. How many more do we need? We're lacking in depth with fullbacks and attacking mids. We could even do with another CB. Biggest concern right now is somehow holding on to De Gea.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Does it really matter that Schweinsteiger hasn't played in England. At some point every foreign player hasn't played in England. I am sure that his experience of World Cup finals, Champions League finals etc etc, he will be just fine. But wow, what a manager is Van Gaal. Even I could manage some of these EPL teams with an open cheque book. Seriously how many players does he need to buy.
144
Roar Guru
actually cannot believe this transfer actually went through. i heard speculation around a week ago but never thought it would be accomplished, one of the signings of the window if anything can top it i'll be surprised. Very good to see Manchester United bringing in some really young and promising players in Depay, while also bringing in a World cup winner, experienced midfielder and legend to the club in Schweinsteiger. The only problem i have is that neither of these players have ever played in England before, so their ability to adapt to the game, may see them struggle at times, but if they can find their feet well then they will be proper spectacular signings.