Midfielder becomes fifth Spaniard on Bayern’s books
MUNICH: German champions Bayern Munich have completed the transfer of former World Cup winner Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid on a two-year deal as they seek to boost their midfield options following a string of injuries.
Spain’s two-time European champion Alonso, who also won last season’s Champions League with Real, will hold a final news conference in Madrid later on Friday to bid farewell to the club and fans.
‘It is now done,’ Bayern said in a statement. ‘On Friday, Bayern and Real Madrid agreed on the transfer and signed the contracts.’
Alonso is due back in Munich later on Friday after addressing the Spanish media in the Santiago Bernabeu press room, alongside Real director Emilio Butragueno.
The 32-year-old, who earlier this week announced his retirement from international soccer after winning one World Cup and two European championships with Spain, is considered as a replacement for the injured Bayern midfielder Javi Martinez.
He passed a medical in Munich on Thursday with Bayern saying terms had also been agreed with the player, whom they wanted to sign as a straight transfer and not as a loan deal from the Spanish club as initially suggested.
‘When Bayern are interested in you then you must not hesitate for a single second,’ Alonso told Germany’s Sport 1 television. ‘I am looking forward to what lies ahead. I am proud at my age to have another chance to play for such a great club.’
Alonso will no doubt help orchestrate Bayern’s game from his deep-lying position while also providing crucial leadership with holding midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara also out injured.
The transfer of Alonso, who is Bayern’s fifth Spanish player along with Pepe Reina, Juan Bernat, Thiago and Martinez, comes after the club signed Moroccan central defender Mehdi Benatia from AS Roma earlier this week.
Martinez has been ruled out for at least six months with a cruciate ligament tear, forcing fellow Spaniard, coach Pep Guardiola, to look for more defensive midfield options.
Bayern have been drawn with Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Roma in the Champions League group stage. (Reuters)