Mats Hummels joins Bayern Munich: Borussia Dortmund announce completed deal as defender returns to former club
Bayern will seal the move for Hummels after a medical with the deal announced on the same day as their completed move for Renato Sanches
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Your support makes all the difference.Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Germany international Mats Hummels on the same day as announcing a move for Benfica wonder kid Renato Sanches, with Borurssia Dortmund announcing the defender’s departure in a deal worth a reported €39m [£30.7m].
Hummels returns to Bayern seven years after leaving the club for Dortmund, having come through the club’s academy before failing to break into the first-team under Louis van Gaal. The 27-year-old will join up with Bayern providing he completes a medical with the club, and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke thanked the centre-back for his years of service to the club.
A Dortmund statement, released on Tuesday morning, read: “Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is leaving the eight-time German champions twelve months before the expiry of his contract and join FC Bayern Munich on July 1, 2016.
“Both clubs have on Tuesday agreed on the conditions of transfer business - subject to medical checks outstanding.”
Hummels will return to the club under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, with the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and AC Milan head coach poised to replace Pep Guardiola in the summer when the Spaniard moves to Manchester City.
“Mats Hummels has decided after long, intense reflections to return to his native Munich eight and a half years after his move to BVB,” Watzke said. “I want to emphasize that he has at all times behaved openly and fairly towards us.
“We respect Mats' decision and wish for him and the BVB that he, in Black and Yellow, earns the recognition during his last weeks he deserves and leaves Dortmund with the DFB Cup in his hands. "
Dortmund face Bayern in the German Cup final, where Hummels will make his final appearance for the club against his future employers. Having been linked with Manchester United last season, Hummels has decided to remain in Germany and return to Bayern, though it’s a decision that he says was extremely difficult to make.
“I have not made my decision after eight and a half successful years at Dortmund easily,” Hummels said in a statement.
“I was always proud and still am, to wear the Dortmund jersey and to be part of this exceptional team. Before I return to my hometown in the summer, we have a large, common goal all: once again to bring the DFB Cup to Dortmund and with the Dortmund fans to celebrate a huge festival of football.
“For that I will give everything just like my teammates. I wholeheartedly thank my teammates, all the staff and fans for this long and wonderful time in Black and Yellow. "
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