Borussia Dortmund ace Mario Gotze will join German Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich this summer, confirmed a press release on the club’s official website.
The Bavarian giants have agreed to pay the €37 million release clause in the 20-year-old’s contract.
A statement on Bayern’s official website read: “FC Bayern Munich confirms they have agreed with Germany international Mario Gotze, 20, that he will play for Bayern Munich from July 1, 2013. FC Bayern is ready to meet the release clause agreed between Borussia Dortmund and Mario Gotze.”
Bayern intended to publicise the transfer following the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on Wednesday, but the news came out prematurely.
This morning, Dortmund released an official statement to the press confirming that Gotze had expressed his desire to leave the club in the summer.
“A few days ago, Germany international Mario Gotze and his agent, Volker Struth, told Borussia Dortmund that Gotze would like to use his release clause and make the switch to Bayern Munich on July 1, 2013.”
After learning that Bayern confirmed the summer transfer of Gotze, BVB chief executive officer Aki Watzke expressed his disappointment regarding the deal.
“Certainly, we are disappointed beyond all measure, but we would like to stress out that both Mario and his agent have conformed to the measures stipulated in his contract,” said Watzke.
According to German newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten, Gotze will earn €12 million per year at the Allianz Arena.
Gotze, who has won 22 international caps for Germany at the age of 20, has bagged 22 goals and 32 assists in 83 Bundesliga appearances since making his league debut for Dortmund in a goalless draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 21 Novemeber 2009.
On a positive note for Dortmund, the exit of Gotze will give Moritz Leitner and Leonardo Bittencourt a chance to play regular first-team football.
On a negative note, Dortmund duo Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski have also been linked with summer moves away from Signal Iduna Park.
Valencia wants Man Utd stay
Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has revealed that he hopes to hang up his boots at Old Trafford, Sky Sports understands.
Valencia, 27, also rubbished reports suggesting he was looking to leave United in the summer.
“Neither the club or the coach have said anything about that [leaving Manchester United], I think it was a rumour that came about in Ecuador more than anywhere else,” the Ecuador international told Radio La Deportiva.
“This [Manchester] is my home, I would like to stay here for a lot longer and retire here before going back to Ecuador.”
The 27-year-old has been on fine form in recent weeks after struggling to regain last season’s form for much of the current campaign.
Valencia was absolutely brilliant as Manchester United became champions of England for the 20th time against Aston Villa on Monday.
The Ecuadorian ace really took the game to Villa left-back Joe Bennett, who was unable to cope with the 27-year-old’s pace or trickery.
Valencia has tallied one goal and five assists in 36 competitive appearances for the Red Devils this season.
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