Mats Hummels has joined Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund, the club have confirmed.
The German centre-back had been linked with the Bundesliga champions as well as other big clubs across Europe like Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain after Borussia Dortmund revealed that the 27-year-old had requested to leave the club at the end of the season. His contract expires at the end of 2017.
"Mats Hummels has decided after long, intense reflections to return to his native Munich eight and a half years after his move to BVB. We respect Mats' decision and wish for him and the BVB that he in Black Yellow earns the recognition during his last weeks that he deserves and leaves Dortmund with the DFB Cup in his hands.” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Borussia Dortmund.
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Hummels, who was a Bayern Munich youth academy graduate made his move from Bayern after a lack of appearances for the senior club in 2009 and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the top defenders in Europe.
He has made more 300 appearances for Dortmund. His honours with them include two Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal title, two DFL Super Cups and one Champions League runners-up medal in 2013.
Earlier, Hummels was quoted saying the statement Dortmund released was ‘misleading’ and ‘sh*tty’ as he believed that going back to Bayern Munich was not the only option as a number of other clubs across Europe are interested in his services.
But now it has been confirmed that he will be returning to the club where he started his career as a football player for an undisclosed fee.
Also Read: Mats Hummels tells fans the Borussia Dortmund statement, regarding his transfer, was misleading
Hummels himself said, “I have not made my decision after eight and a half successful years at BVB easily. I was always proud and still am, to wear the BVB jersey and to be part of this exceptional team. I wholeheartedly thank my teammates, all the staff and fans for this long and wonderful time in Black Yellow. "
This is the third high-profile signing Bayern Munich have made from their arch rivals with Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski already swapping clubs previously.
WIth Pep Guardiola moving to Manchester City, new coach Carlo Ancelotti seems to have already started focusing on next season having also signed teenage midfielder Renato Sanches from Benfica for a reported fee of €35 million.
