Bayern Munich confirmed on Tuesday they have signed Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal from Juventus on a four-year deal with Bastian Schweinsteiger’s replacement reportedly costing €35 million (US$38.6 million).
German first division Bundesliga football club Bayern Munich's new recruit Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal (L) and the club's sporting director Matthias Sammer pose for a picture during a press conference in Munich, southern Germany. (AFP PHOTO/CHRISTOF STACHE)
BERLIN: Bayern Munich confirmed on Tuesday (Jul 28) they have signed Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal from Juventus on a four-year deal with Bastian Schweinsteiger’s replacement reportedly costing €35 million (US$38.6 million).
The 28-year-old Vidal has been brought in by the German champions to bolster their options in the middle after Germany captain Schweinsteiger joined Manchester United earlier this month.
“I wanted to make another big step in my career, I want to develop myself further as a player and win titles like the Champions League,” said Vidal in Spanish, despite having already spent four seasons in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.
“The chance to do that, I see most likely at FC Bayern. I want to support the team and win trophies. “For me, this is a dream come true.”
Vidal is Bayern’s second major signing of the close season after Brazil winger or striker Douglas Costa was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month. German daily Bild say Vidal will earn €10 million (US$11.1 million) per season at Bayern.
“I am delighted to be back in the Bundesliga and of course, I hope to win it,” added the player who helped Juventus reach last season’s Champions League final after claiming the Italian league and cup double.
With his collection of tattoos and eye-catching hairstyle, the Chilean will bring some glamour to the Bavarian giants.
“He is a guy who likes to win and has an excellent mentality,” said Bayern’s sporting director Matthias Sammer, who added Vidal has the option of an extra year after his contact expires in 2019. “He’ll be good for us with his strength in one-on-ones, his eye for goal and his flexibility.”
Vidal converted a spot-kick in Chile’s 4-1 penalty shoot-out win over Argentina earlier this month that saw them win the Copa America and he was also named in the team of the tournament.
However, his tournament was also overshadowed by an arrest for drink driving after he crashed his Ferrari as he was returning to the capital Santiago after an evening at a casino. His wife, who was with him in the car, was injured.
He is unlikely to play in Saturday’s German Super Cup final at Wolfsburg, but Vidal says he wants to play if Bayerncoach Pep Guardiola gives him the nod: “if the trainer wants me to, I’m ready to play”.
German champions Bayern will start the new Bundesliga season at home to Hamburg on Friday, Aug 14 and will be bidding to make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Bundesliga titles.
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Source AFP
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