FC Bayern Munich signs Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus Turin

Now it’s official, Bayern Munich is getting its dream defense chief: As expected, the German record champions announced the signing of Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt on Tuesday. The 22-year-old comes from Juventus Turin for a fee of 70 million euros plus up to ten million in bonuses. He signed until 2027 on Tuesday.

“I’m very happy to be a player in this big club. Right from the start I felt honest appreciation for the sporting leadership, the coach and the board, that convinced me,” said de Ligt, who said Tuesday afternoon before the official announcement boarded a plane after the transfer and followed his new team to the United States.

CEO Oliver Kahn praised the new boss there as “strong in tackles and headers” and for his “very, very good build-up game”. De Ligt likes to lead, is loud and very present. “These qualities are very, very important for us,” said Kahn. De Ligt brings in a “tick more stability” and is therefore “exactly this important piece of the mosaic” that you need.

So far, Bayern have only spent more money on Lucas Hernandez, who came from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for 80 million euros. Even then there was interest in de Ligt, but he switched from Ajax Amsterdam to Juventus for 85.5 million euros. “Back then we were convinced of his qualities as a defender, and we are even more so today,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

FC Bayern Munich signs Matthijs de Ligt

“Matthijs de Ligt was an absolute dream player of ours. With transfers like this, the big goals that we are pursuing are possible. This transfer is an important building block in the overall concept that we are implementing step by step. De Ligt should be a key player at FC Bayern become a pillar,” said President Herbert Hainer about the defender.

The 38-time national player (two goals) still had a contract with Juventus until 2024. De Ligt played 117 games for the Italian record champions, in which he scored eight goals. After superstar Sadio Mane, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, de Ligt is the fourth newcomer to the record champions – and probably not the last. There is strong interest in Konrad Laimer (25 / RB Leipzig) and Talent Mathys Tel (18 / Stade Rennes), both are likely to come.

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