MUNICH, Germany: Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund confirmed yesterday that Germany star Mario Goetze (pictured) will join Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich next season, in a deal reported to be worth 37 million euros ($48.2m, £32m).
The talented 20-year-old attacking midfielder was under contract at Dortmund until 2016 but a release clause allows him to leave for 37 million euros, according to German daily Bild.
Dortmund confirmed that Goetze’s agent, Volker Struth, had recently informed them that Goetze would be using the clause and will move to Bayern on July 1 -- the first day ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola takes charge as Munich coach.
The transfer makes him the biggest transfer deal within Germany, passing the previous highest mark of 35 million euros which Bayern paid VfB Stuttgart for Mario Gomez in 2009.
According to the Ruhr Valley newspaper, Ruhr Nachrichten, Goetze will be paid 12m euros a year at Bayern.
“We are of course exceedingly disappointed but must stress that both Mario and his advisers have behaved with absolutely conformity within the contract,” said Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke. AFP
