Chilean Vidal completes Bayern Munich move

Bayern Munich's new signing Arturo Vidal with club's sports manager Matthias Sammer.

Munich - The Bundesliga champion did not give any immediate details, but German media say Vidal signed a deal through 2020.

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By Agencies

Published: Wed 29 Jul 2015, 7:49 PM

Bayern Munich completed the long-anticipated transfer of Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal from Italian champion Juventus on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga champion did not give any immediate details, but German media say Vidal signed a deal through 2020.
Italian media reports suggested Bayern paid 36 million euros ($39.5 million), rising to 40 million euros ($44 million) with bonuses, to bring the 28-year-old Vidal back to the Bundesliga.
Vidal scored 15 goals and set up 21 more in 117 league games over four seasons for Bayer Leverkusen before leaving for Juventus in 2011.
The rugged midfielder is expected to fill the gap left by the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger for Manchester United, and to give Pep Guardiola's team more toughness.
Vidal was brought to Germany at age 20 from Chilean club Colo-Colo by then Leverkusen squad director Michael Reschke. Reschke ended his 35-year association with Leverkusen when Bayern appointed him as a director in June. Vidal helped Juventus to four consecutive Serie A titles and, last season, the Coppa Italia. Barcelona denied the club a treble by winning the Champions League final between them in Berlin.
Vidal, capped 69 times by Chile, helped the team to their first Copa America win on July 5 by scoring in the penalty shootout win over Argentina in the final. He reached a deal with prosecutors to avoid trial after crashing his Ferrari while driving under the influence of alcohol early in the tournament on June 16. He apologised for insulting a police officer and agreed to pay compensation to a driver involved in the crash.
Vidal is on a 10-man shortlist for the best player in Europe. Of Juventus' five players nominated for the Uefa award, only goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Paul Pogba remain. Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez have left the club. - Agencies
This month, Bayern signed Brazil midfielder Douglas Costa from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported 30 million euros ($33 million).
Costa will help ease Bayern's concerns over injury-prone wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, 32 and 31, respectively. - Agencies

Agencies

Published: Wed 29 Jul 2015, 7:49 PM

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