Transfer news: Bayern Munich confirm signing of Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer from rivals Borussia Dortmund
Striker will leave the club at the end of the season for nothing after signing a five-year deal with the reigning Champions League holders
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Your support makes all the difference.Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has agreed to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, meaning he will walk out on his current club once his contract expires in the summer.
The 25-year-old had previously spoken of his desire to leave Dortmund once his contract ran out, and despite being linked with a move to the Premier League with both Manchester United and Chelsea, he has chosen to join the reigning Champions League holders on a lucrative five-year deal.
Confirming the news on their official Twitter account, the post read: “Official: #FCBayern have signed Robert Lewandowski (25)! The striker has signed a 5-year contract until 2019.”
German newspaper Bild reported this morning that Lewandowski was having a medical on Saturday ahead of signing a five-year contract, and that he will complete the move to the Allianz Arena in the summer to become the latest shining star to leave the Westfalenstadion in recent years.
Dortmund were infuriated when Bayern triggered Mario Götze’s 37m euros release clause last year, shortly before the two sides met at Wembley Stadium in the Champions League final which saw Bayern triumph 2-1.
It was this sense of outrage that led to Dortmund’s refusal to sell Lewandowski in the summer, even though they knew he was not going to sign a new contract and leave the club for nothing.
Another of their Bundesliga-winning side to have left the club since they claimed the title in 2010-11 and 2011-12 is Shinji Kagawa, who departed for Manchester United, while the highly rated Marco Reus is being targeted by a number of top European clubs.
Reigning champions Bayern currently hold a seven point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table, with Dortmund – who many predicted to be their closest match – languishing in fourth, 12 points off the pace.
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Bayern's club website: "We are very pleased that this transfer is successful.
"Robert Lewandowski is one of the world's best strikers, he will strengthen the squad of FC Bayern and give us a boost.
"We are very pleased that today, from both sides, a five-year contract was signed until 2019."
Lewandowski was on form in the recent Champions League meeting with Arsenal, scoring in the first group match between the two in London as the German club recorded a 2-1 triumph. He did however miss a late chance to salvage a draw as the Gunners won 1-0 in Dortmund, but there is no doubting his goalscoring threat with a record of 91 goals in his 163 appearances for his current side.
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