Shaqiri ready to wow Bayern fans

Basel’s Xherdan Shaqiri has compared himself to Franck Ribery and is promising to light up the Bundesliga when he arrives at Bayern Munich.

Bayern announced the signing of Switzerland international Shaqiri for an undisclosed fee earlier this month, but the 20-year-old will not arrive at the Allianz Arena until the end of the season.

Shaqiri has promised Bayern fans that his arrival will be worth waiting for.

“I’m a Ribery-type,” he told Sport-Bild.

“I’m strong and I love the surprise: a solo run, a goal, a pass that no-one expected.”

“In me, the Bundesliga certainly gets a player who loves tricks, the show, something special. It will not be boring with me.”

Despite his confidence Shaqiri knows his faces stiff competition from the likes of Ribery, Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller for a place in the first team.

“The competition at Bayern is huge,” he said.

“This can be seen in the example of Ivica Olic, who often misses out.”

“But it’s clear: I did not come to Munich for a permanent place on the bench.”

It is that same strength in depth which convinced Shaqiri to make the switch to Munich.

“Bayern are number one in Germany – and will stay that way,” he said.

“I know that (Borussia) Dortmund are attacking; there is a large battle looming in the Bundesliga.”

“But Bayern will always be number one and I want to keep it that way.”

Shaqiri also argued Bayern will not only continue to dominate domestically in the coming years, but believes they are also poised to re-establish themselves as the best side in Europe.

“My goal is clearly to win the Champions League with Bayern before 2016,” he said.

“I think that’s realistic.”

Shaqiri’s Basel side host Bayern in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg on February 22.