Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus. The 22-year-old centre-back has signed a five-year contract with the club.
#FCBayern have signed Matthijs #DeLigt from Juventus. 🔴⚪
🔗 All the information: https://t.co/eHmLbFlXJP#ServusDeLigt #MiaSanMia @mdeligt_04
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) July 19, 2022
Bayern Munich Announce Blockbuster Signing of Matthijs de Ligt
Bundesliga Champions Pay Big Bucks for de Ligt
The reigning Bundesliga champions have decided to pay a major fee to Juventus for the acquisition of the Dutch international. Bayern have paid a basic fee of £59.71 million (€70 million) with potential add-ons taking it up to £68.25 million (€80 million). In doing so, De Ligt has become their second most expensive signing ever after Lucas Hernandez.
Bayern were keen on strengthening their backline after struggling defensively last season. They conceded too many cheap goals and Julian Nagelsmann wanted a quality centre-back to fix their issues. De Ligt is still regarded as one of the top centre-backs in world football and is expected to act like a leader in their defence.
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The Bavarians were able to use part of the fee they received from Barcelona for Robert Lewandowski’s sale to help fund their own transfer of De Ligt.
De Ligt’s First Words as a Bayern Player
The 22-year-old is delighted to get his major summer move to a European giant like Bayern. He spoke about his delight to join the club, telling the club’s media.
“I’m very happy to become a player for this great club. FC Bayern are the most successful club in Germany, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and in the world,” de Ligt said.
“I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me. On top of that, FC Bayern is a brilliantly run club with big aims. I’m very glad that I’m now becoming part of the FC Bayern story.”
Oliver Kahn: “Matthijs de Ligt not only impresses in top international football with his playing qualities, but also as a guy who always leads the way in all his teams. He learned to take responsibility at a young age.” pic.twitter.com/d5nLpHKcaG
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 19, 2022
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Bayern’s Summer Transfers So Far
Bayern have had a really impressive transfer window so far. The German giants have already signed a world-class forward in the form of Sadio Mane from Liverpool to strengthen their forward line.
They have also signed Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who is De Ligt’s national teammate and regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming young midfielders in the world. They have also signed ex-Ajax fullback Noussair Mazraoui to strengthen their right-back position for this season.
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Nagelsmann’s side have been impacted by Lewandowski’s departure, but still have a strong enough team to compete for all major honours next season.
