German giants FC Bayern Munich have confirmed the transfer of star midfielder and Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger to Premiership side Manchester United.
The German champions confirmed the transfer at a press conference on Saturday ahead of the official Team Presentation at the Allianz Arena.
The 30 year old Bavarian has decided to accept an offer by the English club and to leave Bayern one year before the end of his contract. Bayern obliged to Schweinsteiger’s wish to join Manchester United and former Bayern boss Louis van Gaal.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that both clubs have reached an agreement on the transfer and the final details would be cleared between Manchester United and the player shortly.
“Bastian and I had agreed to have an appointment after his vacation and to have a chat. It took place yesterday. We had a reliable and detailed chat which we used for an open conversation. He informed me that he contemplated during his vacation. He would like to try out something new at the end of his career,” Rummenige informed.
“We conformed to his wish. The colleague from Manchester United contacted me and we have reached an agreement on the transfer.”
“We tried to convince him to stay at Bayern Munich. But I am sympathetic about the wish of a player, who played 17 years for Bayern Munich, to collect new experiences at the end of his career.”
Manchester United will be paying a transfer fee of € 20m according to media reports, while 2014 FIFA World Cup winner is expected to sign a three-year contract at Old Trafford.
Schweinsteiger, a product of the Bayern youth system and one of the club icons, has made 536 appearances for Bayern since his debut in 2002. He represented the club 17 (!) years in total.
Schweinsteiger’s transfer to Manchester United is considered as the biggest transfer of the summer so far.
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